Tips to Choose the Right Sun glasses for your Eyes

Sunglass styles change every year, just like every other fashion, but the selections are so varied that no pair will ever really go “out” of style. And since sunglasses don’t have to be expensive to be effective, you don’t have to spend a fortune to develop a nice collection.

Designer and specialty sunglasses, like the kinds used for sports, cost more than most sunglasses, but you’ll find all kinds of fashion glasses for sale at affordable prices. Watch the UV ratings carefully and you’ll be fine.

What to look for

Sunglasses lens materials differ quite a bit. Some are heavier than others and some types are more durable. Three materials are commonly used for sunglass lenses:

• Polycarbonate, a durable lightweight plastic.
• CR-39, a plastic used mostly in prescription-grade lenses.

General guidelines

• Look for sunglasses that filter out at least some blue light, which can damage the retina and lead to macular degeneration (vision loss from degeneration in parts of the eye). To make sure, try wearing them outside; a blue sky should appear gray with these on. Also ask about polarization, a type of filtering that helps reduce glare.
• Choose a lens colour based on your preferences and comfort level. Gray doesn’t affect color perception; orange-brown lenses are a good choice for those with macular degeneration, since they filter out UV and blue light rays for maximum retinal protection; green lenses distort colour less than other shades, such as red or yellow.
• Watch for sunglasses with lens scratch resistance. A thin coating can be applied to lenses to make them more resistant to scratches. Plastic lenses scratch more easily than glass lenses.
• Purchase sun goggles for total protection of your eyes. These cover a large area and include side shields. As an added bonus, they also fit over prescription glasses.