Sunglasses are not just a fashion statement. They are key to good eye health. Yes! Sunglasses provide you protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. These radiations, including UVA and UVB, damage the eye’s tissues, cornea and lens, resulting in cataracts and other vision stealing eye conditions. Sunglasses are an essential tool for minimising the brightness and protecting your eyes from the sun and its reflective rays that can damage your vision. Knowing this, if you are thinking of buying a pair of branded products like Prada sunglasses but are overwhelmed with the myriad of options available, follow these sunglass selection tips and get the safest and most effective sunglasses out there for yourself.
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Never settle for less than 100%
Remember, not every pair of shades offer the same level of protection against the sun. Before you splurge on the most stunning sunglasses you see in the store, check out its label and make sure it provides 100 per cent UV protection from all types of UV rays. Always look for the glasses labelled as blocking 99% or 100% of UV rays, or the label might say “UV absorption up to 400 nm” or UV400, which is equivalent to 100 per cent protection.
Darker sunglasses do not mean better UV protection
If you are also among those, who believe darker shades will be UV protection, set this myth aside. This is wrong! While buying sunglasses, don’t get fooled thinking the darker lens will offer more protection to your eyes. Only the shades with 100% UV protection provide you with the safety you need against sun rays.
Polarised lenses do not block UV rays
Polarised lenses are very popular these days. For a good reason, of course! These sunglasses are equipped with a filter that helps you reduce glare, enhance contrast and improve visual clarity and comfort. But they are not meant to block the UV radiations at all. They will provide you with clearer vision in the sun and hence are recommended to wear when driving in the daytime.
Check out the lens quality
Do you know what is most important in your sunglasses? The answer is pretty obvious- “the quality of the lens and coatings.” However, only an optician can precisely check the quality of a lens. Here are some tricks that you can apply and check out if the lenses you are getting are top-quality or not.
- Find lenses with some rectangular pattern
- Cover your one eye and hold your glasses at a comfortable distance from your face.
- First, move the glasses from side to side and then up and down and look through the lenses.
- If the rectangular lines stay straight, the lenses are fine. If the lines are wavy or wiggle in the centre of the lens, try another pair.
The size and colour of glasses does not matter
You may always judge the sunglasses by their size and colour, but on the contrary, these are the things that matter most. Yes! You read it right. It would be great if you got the largest lenses possible. Oversized or wraparound style prada sunglasses will limit the UV rays from entering the eye. Furthermore, it is a common misconception that coloured lenses are more effective in blocking the sun rays. The reality is, you will get 100% UV protection only with the right type of lenses.
Hopefully, you have become a sunglasses connoisseur and know what to look for when making a purchase. Lastly, there are two things that you should always keep in mind: Never leave the house without them and get an attractive pair that fits well with the shape of your face.
