Shopping for sunglasses? Consider function along with fashion. After all, the most important reasons to don those fabulous shades are to protect your peepers and see the world clearly on sunny days. You can do all that and still look glamorous. Here are five ways to make sure the sunglasses that you choose are easy on the eyes in every way:
By Jerome Favre
Big sunglasses not only lend an air of mystery, they also cover a maximum amount of territory.
By Jerome Favre
Big sunglasses not only lend an air of mystery, they also cover a maximum amount of territory.
1 Look for the UV label.
UV stands for ultraviolet light. You've no doubt heard that UV rays can tan, burn and wrinkle your skin. But they also can damage your eyes, increasing your risk for cataracts and, possibly, macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. Good sunglasses will carry a label that says they block 100% of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light. "My advice would be that if there is no label, don't buy the sunglasses," says Paul Rychwalski, an ophthalmologist at Cleveland Clinic.
2 Pick polarized.
Polarized lenses cut down on glare from light reflected off water, sand, sidewalks and cars. So whether you are driving down the highway or walking down the beach, you'll see more comfortably and safely in a pair of polarized sunglasses.
3 Consider color.
Your frames can be hot pink or retro gold metal. But lens color may matter more. Gray lenses cause the least color distortion and are a good choice for most people, says Lee Duffner, an ophthalmologist in Hollywood, Fla., and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Green and brown lenses distort color perception most, he says. Some researchers are looking at whether amber or yellow lenses enhance eye health by blocking potentially hazardous blue light wavelengths, but any benefits remain unproven, Duffner says.
4 Go big.
Fashionistas and eye doctors agree: Size matters. Big sunglasses not only lend an air of mystery, they also cover a maximum amount of territory. They protect your eyes and the delicate skin around your eyes, which is vulnerable to skin cancer and wrinkling. If you don't need prescription lenses, consider wrap-around styles, Duffner suggests. Or go for frames with wide temple pieces to block a little more of the side light. Add a hat for good measure.
5 Spend what you want.
You can spend hundreds of dollars for high-fashion sunglasses. Or you can buy a cheap pair at the drugstore. As long as the glasses meet basic safety standards (including UV protection), the cheap glasses will work as well as the pricey ones,Rychwalski says. One exception: It's sometimes worthwhile to pay extrafor impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses for kids, especially if they wear the glasses while playing sports.
0 comments:
Post a Comment