Sunglasses go back as far as ancient Rome where it was reported that Nero watched the gladiator fights using polished gems. Today sunglasses don’t just keep the sun out of our eyes, but they have also become a fashion statement. After all, CSI Miami wouldn’t be the same without Horatio Cane’s polarized sunglasses!
Price doesn’t always dictate the quality of a pair of sunglasses. Sometimes a seven dollar pair can have better UV protection than ones costing ten times that amount. It is important to make sure the sunglasses you purchase have 100% UV protection. They should be labeled as having polycarbonate with 100% absorption. Plastic glasses tend to be around 88% effective and will be labeled as CR-39R.
The problem with having prolonged exposure to UV rays it that not only can it harm the eyes but it can also lead to various eye diseases. If you have either macular degeneration or retinal dystrophy you will need to have a good pair of UV protected sunglasses.
If you are a skier or spend a lot of time on the water you will need to get a pair of polarized sunglasses. Polarization actually blocks reflections of light off water and snow while reducing the amount of glare.
There are many different types of sunglasses including mirrored glasses which may not provide UV protection. Check the labels before you buy them.
If you are an avid golfer you might want to purchase sport sunglasses. They come in a couple of tints including gray and yellow. Gray lenses will help to minimize color shift and yellow lenses will help to increase the amount of light on a dull day.
Do you ride a motorcycle? Then you will want a pair of sunglasses that not only keep the glare out of your eyes but that are shatterproof to protect your eyes from flying rocks and other debris.
When buying sunglasses always consider your lifestyle and activities. Buy a pair that not only looks good on you but will give you the best eye protection. There are many ways to see things including how we see life. For information on visualization check out: I Can See Clearly