by Veronica Shine

Created on: May 11, 2009

Make a Fashion Statement with Sunglasses for Other Reasons

Since the first devices for eye protection against sunlight began with Air Force pilots in 1933, the sunglass industry has grown dramatically. The original lenses were dark tinted plastic on fashionable frames, hence the original Aviators. Of course, with the variety available, trying on a pair will immediately divulge whether or not they look good on you. That is the simple part in purchasing a pair.

There are a few other things to consider and learn why sunglasses are not for show only.

- Ultraviolet Light

Problem:

Protect your peepers comes from the sun's visible light aka Ultraviolet light. AS you know it can tan your skin, but it can also damage your eyes. Overexposure to UV rays induces or accelerates cataracts and burn vision cells in the retina. By doing so, it diffuses images in the center of your visual field. Sunny days need not only to apply as cloudy days only offer only a blockage of 10%.

Solution:

Make sure that your shades provide 100% UV gradient lenses.

- Bounce Back Light

Problem:

There is still some light that reaches your eyes even with shades on. Light is not always blocked out. It can come in through the open sides and behind your frames, bouncing on the inner face of the lenses. The directly heads for your pupil, which is wide open because you are wearing sunglasses. Depending on the type of frame you chose, it can be quite a bit of light seeping through, so you are defeating the purpose of sunglasses for protection.

Solution:

To defeat this from occurring, seek out glasses that have more coverage on the sides along with an antireflective coating. The antireflective coating will help make sure all light frequencies are eliminated.

- Bright Direct Light

Problem:

Constantly wearing sunglasses is a good thing but when worn on the beach or on water you still the tendency to squint. The light bouncing off the sand or water can be a nuisance causing eye fatigue.

Solution:

Of course you can us a hat as the simple solution but by having bi-gradient mirrors on your shades will gain 5 % more protection and cutting the bright light of the squint syndrome.

- Glare

Problem:

Having major sun reflection from light bouncing off other objects such as water, metal and pavement, only hampers and interferes with proper vision.

Solution:

By using lenses that have polarized filters on your sunglasses will eliminate 99.9% of the glare.

- Final Thoughts

You may have shopped for sunglasses in the past running into a shop and lsearching by style alone. By doing so you are missing out in an important aspect; vision. Protect your peepers while looking good and purchase your shades, not only for how they make you look but how well you see through them. Sight is priceless, so invest in the best sunglasses.

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