Picking sunglasses needn't be a hard task

Sunglasses are widely seen as a fashion accessory, although many optometrists would say they are the first line of defense when it comes to the long-term health of your eyes.

Because of this perception, many view these glasses as a nice-to-have item, but not as something that could have a beneficial impact on their well-being.

However, it is important to consider the damage that the strong rays of the sun can do when you continually expose your eyes to them, day after day, year after year.

In light of these facts, the daily use of sunglasses is strongly advised. If you are going to go this route, you ought to look smashing in the process.

In this article, we’ll break down what you could consider when buying a pair of sunglasses.

Why do I need sunglasses anyway?

Beyond looking good on a brilliant summer’s day, it can be hard for people who don’t wear sunglasses to understand why it is important to don them.

The truth of the matter is that our brains only register immediate pain with something that is bad – unfortunately, the damage that UV radiation takes place over the long-term.

In your 20s and 30s, you can head out into the bright sunshine day after day, and your eyes will work fine.

As you pass into middle age, however, the effects of chronic sun exposure can manifest itself in many terrifying ways.

Long-term exposure can lead to cataracts that can make you blind. Worse, it can cause cancer to develop in your eyes, which can threaten your life.

By wearing sunglasses that block UVA and UVB radiation, you can prevent these terrible outcomes. When you buy a pair, they should stop 95% of UVAs and 99% of UVBs.

If you hit the slopes or beaches on a frequent basis, go with polarized sunglasses, as they do the best job of dealing with reflected sunlight.

Finally, do well to avoid cosmetic sunglasses. If they are labelled as such, they lack protections that will keep your eyes safe over the long run.

What glasses are best for me?

So, you’re convinced of the benefits of wearing sunglasses – the only question that remains is this: which pair will make you look the coolest?

Not all glasses are put together equally. Some work better with certain faces. Others will appeal better to different demographics.

If your face is round, square lenses will work best. Got square features? Round lenses will make you look sharp.

If you play sports, you are aware of the role the sun can play in the course of a game. If you find yourself in this position, get wraparounds, as they will shield your eyes from brightness no matter what play you have to make.

Want to pull off the Top Gun look? Sporting a pair of aviators are a must.

Want to channel celebrity cool? Oversized lenses or Buddy Holly style glasses are capable of accomplishing this mission.

Browse extensively online – no matter your needs or tastes, there is something out there that will fit your eyes like a perfect glove fits your hand.

Color matters more than you’d think

The color of one’s sunglasses might appear to be something that only matters to fashionistas, but each shade has a function that could make certain sets of glasses better than others of a different hue.

Enjoy skiing or snowboarding? Brown lenses make it much easier to see as you tear down runs, duffers will enjoy better results when it comes to teeing off when they have copper lenses, and tennis players will find blue or green lenses to be beneficial.

Want to have a stylish pair of sunglasses that cut down on sun glare? Gray lenses are best at reducing brightness while preserving visual sharpness.

Buy glasses that are resistant to scratches

Expensive sunglasses are always a stressful purchase, as you never know when a simple scratch will make them worthless.

When you go to buy a pair of sunnies, make sure they are able to resist an encounter with asphalt or concrete.

Make certain they have this feature before you commit to a purchase, as you have no idea when your brand new shiny pair of shades will slip from your shirt collar onto the ground beneath you.