Factors to consider when buying sunglasses

Sunglasses can make your life easy and comfortable when you go outside, and give you critical protection from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. When you stay outdoors on a bright sunny day without protection from the sun’s harmful rays, it can damage the surface of your eyes and put you at risk of eye diseases. Ophthalmologists and optometrists recommend putting on hats and sunglasses whenever you go out on a sunny day, especially if you live in a country near the equator or on a high elevation. 

The exciting thing is that you do not need to spend an excessive amount of money. A high price does not always guarantee you the best protection for your eyes and higher quality. Standards and labeling regarding UV protection are not mandatory; instead, it’s voluntary. This article discusses the factors to consider when buying sunglasses.

Look for ultraviolet protection. 

Do not get overwhelmed with the color and price. The capacity to block UV rays does not depend on the cost or darkness of the lens. Once both plastic and glass lenses absorb UV light, ultra-violate immersion improves by applying some special lens coatings.

Always remember to choose sunglasses that block more percentage of the UV rays. You may notice some of the labels indicate “UV absorption up to 400 nm ”, which is the same as 100 percent UV absorption. When you purchase printed sunglasses to protect your eyes, you should also check the tag or sticker, which specifies that they can block 100 percent ultraviolet rays. UV protection is the utmost important factor to consider when purchasing sunglasses, so make sure to always look for the ultraviolet protectionwhen purchasing your sunglasses.  

Check if they can block enough light and lens quality.

It may help if you make sure that the sunglasses you are going to buy can block enough light. Sunglasses should screen out at least 90 percent of visible light. To determine whether the glasses are dark enough to shade the sunlight, put them on in front of the mirror; if you can visibly see your eyes through the lenses, those sunglasses are not dark enough.

The quality of the lenses and the tint is vital. Look for uniform shades rather than darker ones. You can hold the sunglasses at arm’s length and, at a straight line, see through the lenses at a distance to check the imperfections, like the edge of the door. Then slowly move the sunglasses across the line. The lens would not be perfect if the straight edge curves, distorts, moves, or sways. 

Lastly, the size of your sunglasses matters. The more you get coverage from your glasses, the fewer sun rays can harm your eyes. So when purchasing sunglasses, try to select wraparound glasses or oversized sunglasses. It can help minimize the amount of ultraviolet rays entering your eyes. While opting for oversize sunglasses, don’t forget to prioritize a good fit and comfort, as you may put them on for a long time in the sun.