We wear sunglasses to stop squinting in the sun and sometimes as a fashion statement, following the latest trends from celebrities. But do we really understand why we should be wearing them first and foremost for eye protection?
The sun makes us squint, so an obvious choice to stop us doing so is sunglasses. But it’s not only the brightness of the sun that is an unwanted effect; the sun emits harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays which are both visible and invisible.
Sunglasses have a special coating which stops the harmful rays from getting in and harming our eyes. Wraparound sunglasses provide further protection as they cover the sides of our eyes – where harmful rays can also creep in. So far, so good. But the problem is that some glasses – usually those that you find for a price that is too good to be true – really are too good to be true. Many sunglasses don’t provide a high enough UV protection percentage: some don’t even provide any UV protection.
Percentage of UV Protection
Make sure you always look for the UV percentage sign on the lenses of your sunglasses before buying them. The ideal percentage of UV protection is 99-100%. It may sound high, but if you choose anything lower, you run the risk of not properly protecting your eyes.
Colour
Lens colour has nothing to do with protection. You may think a darker lens will stop more light than a lighter lens, but this isn’t true. The ability to block harmful UV rays from the sun comes from a special coating which is applied to the frames of the sunglasses during production. So opting for a black-out pair of shades will make no difference to protection, and may be a choice you make for aesthetic purposes only.
Price point
Designer shades don’t have to cost you the earth. Direct Sight provides designer sunglasses at affordable prices. So instead of buying a pair of sunglasses that won’t provide you with sufficient protection, why not make a style-conscious and health-conscious decision this season?
Our eye health is important and our eyes are delicate organs. Looking directly at the sun can cause permanent damage so never look straight at it. Don’t think that by not looking at the sun you’ll be safe from harmful rays: even being outside on a sunny day when not looking at the sun can cause eye problems, so always wear sunglasses.
Amy writes for Direct Sight, a leading provider of designer sunglasses online.
