Cherish Your Eyes with Sunglasses
2008-08-15

      Everyone should wear some kind of eye protection from the sun. Too much exposure of the eyes to the sun's rays can result in severe damage, for example cataracts, vision loss, or even cancer. So it is important to not only wear sunglasses, but to choose the proper kind.      In this article, we'll take the mystery out of sunglasses and help you understand what to look for when you buy a pair. There are three parts: how it works, how to choose and when to wear. 

 1. How sunglasses work?      When you realize how sunglasses work, you will be amazed at how complex and sophisticated a simple pair of sunglasses can be.      A good modern sunglasses work in four major ways.     1). Provide protection from UV (ultraviolet) rays. UV rays are emitted by sunlight and can damage the retina and cornea in the eye. A good pair of sunglasses can completely block out all UV rays. Beware of cheap sunglasses however as these can do more damage than good. Cheap sunglasses block some light, allowing your iris to expand but do not block UV rays and therefore increase your exposure to UV rays.     2). Provide protection from glare. Glare is caused when sunlight reflects off certain surfaces such as snow or water. These reflections can cause distractions or even obscure areas of vision completely. Good sunglasses can remove 100% of glare. This is done by something known as polarization.     3). Provide protection from intense lights. Intense light can be very dangerous to the eye. When too much light is getting into your eyes, the iris starts to close but this can only close so far. If there is still too much light then you begin to squint in an attempt to block out some more. If after all this, still too much light is entering the eye, then retina starts being damaged and can lead to permanent eyesight problems. A good pair of sunglasses can reduce the amount of light entering the eyes by as much as 97%, vastly reducing the possibility of eye damage.     4). Block specific light frequencies. There are particular frequencies of light that can blur your vision or increase viewing contrast. By choosing the right color for your sunglasses you can tailor them to specific requirements. e.g. Fishing, skiing.    

   2. How to choose one?                                                                                                                                           Many people who wear sunglasses don’t have prescription lenses. They use sunglasses to block out the sun and express their style.      Therefore, sunglass frames are more important that the lenses. It’s a fact of life – sunglasses are seen as more fashionable than function. However, for some people who need prescription lenses to see properly, sunglasses also need to be functional. That doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style just so you can get prescription sunglasses. You just need to know how to shop and what to consider when looking for prescription sunglasses.       There are five steps when you buy a pair of sunglasses.       1.) Check labels to make sure the sunglasses provide 100 percent UVA and UVB protection.       2). Look for sunglasses that filter out at least some blue light, which can damage the retina and lead to macular degeneration (vision loss from degeneration in parts of the eye). To make sure, try wearing them outside; a blue sky should appear gray with these on. Also ask about polarization, a type of filtering that helps reduce glare.       3). Choose a lens color based on your preferences and comfort level. Gray doesn't affect color perception; orange-brown lenses are a good choice for those with  macular degeneration, since they filter out UV and blue light rays for maximum retinal protection; green lenses distort color less than other shades, such as red or yellow.      4). Opt for lightweight, plastic, shatterproof sunglasses if you're going to be wearing them when playing sports.      5). Purchase sun goggles for total protection of your eyes. These cover a large area and include side shields. As an added bonus, they also fit over prescription glasses.      In the modern times, you may opt for glasses that suit your style. But don’t forget the most important is the glasses suit your eyes and can protect your eyes well. On this basis, then consider the shape or other fashion elements.   

  3. When to wear sunglasses? Sunglasses should be worn anytime you are outdoors, particularly under these circumstances:    1). during the summer, when the level of ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB) is at least three times higher than during the winter;    2). When at the beach or in the water;    3). When participating in winter sports, especially at high altitudes;    4). When using medications that can cause photosentivity.    Just saying this, do you have any inspiration? After you buy a pair of glasses, how to maintain it is also important. The worst thing that can happen to a pair of sunglasses is to have scratches on the lenses. Trying to drive and even walk with scratches on your sunglasses is a pain. That’s why it’s important that you know about cleaning sunglasses and maintain the integrity of your lenses.