How to choose the right sunglasses: top tips

What would summer be without sunglasses? In addition to its aesthetic purpose – fashion accessory, they also perform protective functions that can preserve the health of our eyes and the beauty of the skin around them, agrees estet-portal.com. Often, forgetting glasses at home or refusing them, we, without realizing it, cause irreparable harm to our vision. How to choose sunglasses? What factors should be taken into account in order to protect the eyes and the area around them as much as possible? Plastic or glass, how to choose the right lenses and frames?

What are sunglasses for?

The main task of sunglasses is to minimize the harmful effects UV-radiation on the skin. But not all accessories are capable of this task.

Fashion trends and trends are not the most important factor in choosing this accessory. The main thing is the ability of the lenses to protect the eyes and the skin around them from the harmful effects of UV rays.

If the lenses on your glasses are not fitted correctly, then in very sunny weather, you can cause irreparable damage to your eyes, for example:

• eye degeneration,
• cataract.

The bright sun is also very dangerous for older people, so wearing sunglasses is a vital necessity for them, and not a fashion accessory. With age, the production of melanin, which can protect our skin and eyes from ultraviolet radiation, decreases.

Effects of exposure to sunlight on the eyes

Ophthalmologists strongly recommend that you protect your eyes from UV rays. It is not always possible to immediately determine what damage was done to vision, but the consequences of its impact can be felt after a few hours. The most dangerous of them can be:

• corneal burn,
• partial loss of vision,
• manifestations of cataract.

UV - rays – it is always a damaging factor. If after spending a lot of time in the sun you notice:

• lacrimation,
• eye soreness,
• reduced vision quality,

contact an ophthalmologist immediately.

The burn of the cornea of ​​the eye by the sun's rays is called – photokeratitis or "snow blindness". Such a symptom was often observed in people in the snow in sunny weather (in polar explorers or skiers).

Remember the rule: the stronger the solar activity, the more aggressive the UV radiation, but if there is also a reflective factor (water or snow), then the dangerous effect increases several times.

See also: 20 tips to keep your eyesight for years to come

What lenses should sunglasses have?

An important point in choosing glasses is not the frame, as is often emphasized, but lenses. Dimming lenses – it is not always UV protection. It is important to remember that fake lenses, even if heavily tinted, can do more harm than good. Since under the influence of light the pupil narrows, trying to hide from the stimulus. And in such glasses, he is kind of deceived, he remains extended and takes the whole blow on himself.

 Lenses can be:

• glass,
• plastic.

Each of these materials has its pros and cons

Plastic sunglasses lenses

Before choosing sunglasses, you should consider that plastic will never break into small pieces and fragments. Typically, these lenses develop a spider-like crack and retain their shape on impact, which is safe for the eyes.

This material also transmits UV - rays, so you can not count on good protection of the eyes and the area around them. In addition, this material is easily scratched and requires constant storage in a case. And at high temperatures it can even deform.

Sunglasses glass lenses

Even the clear lenses of glass glasses protect against UV rays. You can choose lenses with even a slight tint and already get the protection you need. They are also more resistant to mechanical damage, you need to apply force to scratch them.

However, when struck, the glass breaks easily and shatters, which can be dangerous to the eyes. So if you play beach basketball or drive a car, you should refuse such glasses.

How to choose the right sunglasses?

Now that you know all the pros and cons, we will give you advice on how to choose the right glasses depending on the situation:

1. Give preference glasses with plastic frames. The metal frame is categorically not suitable for the beach. Because of it, the rays are reflected on the cheeks, which increases the likelihood of burns and pigmentation. 
2. Mirror glass provides better UV protection.
3. For beach holidays, choose large glasses, as they cover a large surface of the skin around the eyes. 
4. Blue and pink glasses let ultraviolet through, therefore they are suitable only for cloudy weather.
5. Even if the glasses of an accessory are dark, it does not mean at all that they have a protective film. Glasses that are not dark enough will cause you to squint constantly, and this leads to the formation of wrinkles.
6. Only high UV-protection glasses can provide high-quality sun protection.

And how do you choose sunglasses, share your experience with estet-portal.com.