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If you're honest, you will admit that one of the main reasons you wear sunglasses is because you want to look cool. Maybe you've got a couple of pairs, in different colors. Maybe you've got a pair for every mood and every outfit.
I mean, they are just ... cool.
Of course, you also want to be smart and protect your eyes, and that's where this article comes in. Every part of your eye, and the skin of your eyelids will benefit from the protection afforded by a good pair of sunglasses.
You can even lower your risk for cataracts in your old age if you take care of your eyes now by wearing shades that keep out dangerous UV rays. The bigger the lenses and frames, the better as they create a bigger umbrella of protection.
Read the labels for particulars on UV protection. The best sunglasses will keep out 99 - 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. If the label doesn't have this information, walk away.
Both polarized and photocromic lenses reduce glare, but should both be combined with UV protection from a special UV coating. Mirror-coating decreases the amount of light that gets through, but this also does not offer UV protection.
Gradient frames offer greater protection at the top of the lenses to keep more light out, and they are lighter at the bottom where less coverage is needed. Double gradient sunglasses are dark at the bottom as well as the top.
If you choose sunglasses with gray lenses, the colors you see won't be altered. If you pick glasses that filter blue light, you can protect your retinas. This can also protect you from macular degeneration later on. Macular degeneration causes vision loss.
If you have, or are at risk for, macular degeneration, choose lenses that are in the orange-brown range to filter out blue light rays and UV rays. This will offer the greatest protection for your retinas.
Those who wear contact lenses can get some that have UV protection but this isn't the best defense from the sun. Contacts don't cover enough area, so sunglasses should still be worn to receive full protection.
People who normally wear prescription glasses to see can have a pair treated with a UV coating that does not show. If you prefer not to have prescription sunglasses, you can get photochromic lenses in your glasses or go with the old-school standby, clip-on sunglasses.
That's right, the kind your grandpa used to wear. So retro, they're cool again. Or you can tell yourself that.
Sources:
When you're choosing sunglasses, does UV protection matter? Mayoclinic.com. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/uv-protection/AN00832
How to Find the Right Sunglasses. Ehow.com. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
http://www.ehow.com/how_7274528_right-sunglasses.html
How to Choose Sunglasses. Ehow.com. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
http://www.ehow.com/how_7138_choose-sunglasses.html
Visit Jody's website and blog at http://www.ncubator.ca and http://ncubator.ca/blogger
Reviewed on May 4, 2012
by Maryann Gromisch, RN
Add a Comment2 Comments
Nice sunglasses not only make us comfortable and cool, but also need to have important roles to protect our eyes from UV rays. Such sunglasses are what I always choose. There is no reason to be nice to my eyes. www.buybrandsunglass.com.
March 29, 2013 - 11:01pmThis Comment
Great article on protecting eyes now and in the future. I am on my second pair of prescription sunglasses and I highly recommend spending the money for a good pair you feel good in. Getting a pair you really like will encourage you to wear them every time you go out doors and it will soon become an unconscious habit. This will lessen your chances of poor eye sight in your golden years. Don't forget to protect your children's eyes too.
May 10, 2012 - 1:39pmThis Comment