Sunglasses are essential accessories, especially if you spend lots of time outdoors. It doesn’t matter if you’re going on vacation or just enjoying the sunshine at home. Sunglasses are an essential item that will help protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.
However, for many people, buying sunglasses can be a confusing process. There are many different types of sunglasses available. Each one has features you should consider before making a purchase.
This article discusses everything you need to know about buying sunglasses.
What Do You Need to Know Before Buying Sunglasses?
Before you get glasses the same day, ensure you’re buying the right pair of sunglasses for your needs. Many styles and features are available, so knowing what will work best for you can be challenging.
Here are some things to consider before making a purchase:
Why do you need sun protection?
Sunglasses are a great way to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. These rays cause damage to your retina and macula. This leads to long-term vision problems like cataracts and macular degeneration.
Do you have conditions that make you more susceptible to UV damage? Then it’s crucial that you wear sunglasses every time you go outside to prevent these conditions from worsening.
Forms of harmful UV radiation
UV radiation is divided into three types: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC doesn’t affect humans because it’s filtered out by the atmosphere before reaching us. But UVA and UVB are harmful to our eyes.
UVA rays penetrate deep into your skin and can cause damage to the collagen fibers. This can lead to wrinkles and premature aging of your skin.
UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and skin cancer. They also contribute to macular degeneration.
Some expert tips for buying sunglasses
You’ll want to consider a few things before buying a good pair of sunglasses. First, make sure the glasses provide 100% UV protection.
Second, look for sunglasses with polarized lenses. This minimizes the glare from direct sunlight or reflective surfaces.
Third, pick out frames that fit comfortably on your face, so they don’t slip off when you’re active outdoors.
Sunglasses design and construction
Another thing you need to know before you buy sunglasses is how they’re made. The best sunglasses have high-quality materials that won’t scratch or break easily.
- Frames. Your sunglasses’ frames should be made from durable materials. This can be plastic, metal, or acetate. These materials are more resistant to breakage than softer options.
- Lens type. The type of lens you choose is another important consideration. The most popular choice is a polarized lens. This reduces the glare from water and other reflective surfaces. Polarized lenses also help reduce eye fatigue in bright light conditions.
- Lens materials and treatments. The best sunglasses for you will have lenses made from high-quality materials. The most popular options are polycarbonate and CR-39 plastic. Other lens materials include glass, mineral crystal, and silicone hydrogel.
- Lens coatings. A coating can help improve the performance of your sunglasses. It reduces glare and reflection from light sources, enhancing clarity and color contrast. The most popular lens coatings are ion-plasma, anti-reflective (AR), scratch-resistant, and hard coatings.
- Lens color. The most popular lens colors are gray, brown, black, and bronze. These are also the most suitable for all-day wear in varying light conditions. Other options include amber and blue lenses.
- Mirrored lenses. Mirrored lenses are ideal for low-light conditions. This is because they reflect light and help reduce glare and improve contrast. They also offer UV protection and can be helpful in some activities. These can be cycling or running in the early morning or late evening when the sun is low on the horizon.
Taking care of your sunglasses
Next, you must know how to take care of your sunglasses. They are essential accessories and must be taken care of properly if you want them to last as long as possible.
You should avoid sitting on them. Don’t leave them somewhere that could damage their frames or lenses.
You also want to ensure that you don’t scratch or damage the lenses with sharp objects.
Also, you should never clean your sunglasses with any chemical or cleaning solution. The best way to clean them is simply by wiping them off with a soft cloth or microfiber.
Eye exams
Before buying sunglasses, you should ensure your eyesight is up to par. This means scheduling an eye exam with a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist. The professional will help you get a prescription for glasses.
The prescription will tell you what type of lenses your eyes need and their strength. You can then take this information to an optician and have them create the sunglasses for you.
Conclusion
The above pointers should help you find the best sunglasses for you. Remember that all the tips above are essential. Therefore, you should consider them when shopping for new glasses.
