As summer progresses, the sun's rays grow fiercer. Sunglasses are essential not just for style but for protecting your eyes from the harsh sunlight. Wearing sunglasses blocks the intense sunlight from reaching your eyes, making it easier to see in bright conditions. More importantly, they shield your eyes from the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can damage the cornea and lens over time, leading to various eye and vision problems.
Today, the market is filled with various types of sunglasses, evolving into a fashion statement over time. However, before you pick any pair, here are some vital tips to ensure you buy the best protection for your eyes:
Buy 100% UV-blocking sunglasses: Ensure the sunglasses block 100 percent of UV rays. Some are labeled as blocking up to 400 NM, offering complete UV protection.
Darker doesn't mean safer: Don't choose sunglasses based on the color of the lenses. Darker shades don't guarantee better protection from UV rays.
Polarized lenses reduce glare, not UV rays: Polarized lenses are designed to reduce glare from surfaces like water or pavement, but they do not offer UV protection unless specified.
Quality of lenses: Before purchasing non-prescription sunglasses, try them on and look at a consistent background. The lenses should not warp your vision, and both lenses should have uniform tint.
Size matters: Larger sunglasses protect better by covering more area and preventing UV rays from entering around the edges.
Color perception: Lenses in shades like brown or pink can enhance contrast, useful for sports like golf or baseball, but do not correlate with UV protection.
Avoid cheap sunglasses: They might be appealing to your wallet but can be detrimental to your eye health. Always invest in sunglasses that provide assured UV protection.
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