9 Tips to Choose the Best Sunglasses for Eyes Health

Sunglasses aren’t only a fashion accessory but are also essential to protect your eyes from harsh UV rays. Whether it’s summer or winter, we’ll advise you to wear sunglass all the year round. From trendy retro designs to unique frames, sunglasses have surfeit of options. And, this may confuse you. While shopping, consider not only the style but also the factors to keep your eyes protected. In this blog, we’ll share with you some tips on how to choose the best sunglasses for eyes health.

Tips to Choose the Best Sunglass

1. Should Block Both UVA and UVB Rays

Such sunglasses aren’t freaking expensive. UV protection is available in almost all sunglasses.

Excessive UV rays can cause cataracts. Your retina can also get damaged. The sunrays can also thicken eye tissues leading to discomfort. Therefore, choose a sunglass that can block 99 to 100% of UV rays. It should have a UV filter category of 400. Sunglasses with a UV 400 lens block all light rays with wavelengths of up to 400 nanometers, which covers all UVA and UVB rays.

2. Should Ensure Better Clarity of Vision

If you have hazy visions after wearing the sunglass, then it’ll be of no use. Branded sunglasses like sunglasses of Ray-Ban enhance color contrast. At the same time, it should provide a more natural vision. All in all, you should feel comfortable to go outside with it.

3. Should Have Lightweight and Corrosion-Resistant Frames

Beryllium, Titanium, Stainless steel, and aluminum frames are the best. These are lightweight, strong, flexible, and resistant to corrosion. Moreover, these frames are available in different colors so as to suit your style.

According to Devin Harrison, MD, an ophthalmologist at Columbia River Eye Center in Richland, WA, anyone who roughly handle the sunglasses should go for titanium frames, as they’re very sturdy. Similarly, choose beryllium frames if you spend most of the time in or around salt water. Furthermore, people with a tight budget can consider stainless steel frames.

4. Wrap Around the Temples

For more protection, choose a sunglass with a wraparound. Wraparounds hug your face’s contours. Thus, you will get extra protection from dust, wind, and sunrays and enjoy an unhindered peripheral view.

Many sunglasses have the perfect athletic wrap-style frames. These frames help to keep the sunglass at its place, even when you are most active.

5. Should Have a Uniform Tint

Your selected sunglass shouldn’t be darker on one side and lighter on the other.

Here’s how you can test.

Hold the sunglass at your arm’s length. Look through the lenses at a distance in the straight line. Now, move the lens along the line. If you find that the line is curving, swaying, or distorting, the lens don’t have a uniform tint.

6. Consider the Fitting

The eyes shouldn’t be too far apart or too close in the lens. Otherwise, it will cause distortions and thickness on the outer edges. If the bridge of the nose is too big, the sunglass will slip off and chafe the nose. In the same manner, too small nose bridge can cause a sore spot on the nose.

Moreover, the arms of the frames should be parallel. To hold the frame in its place, the earpieces should bend properly behind the ear.

7. Know Your Lenses

Find out which special feature you want in your lens.

a) Polarized

Polarized lenses are best when you’re out in the snow or are driving. These lenses reduce the reflected glare. However, it’s not related to UV protection. So, you need to check the UV protection capability even if you’re buying polarized lenses.

b) Mirror Coatings 

Lenses with mirror coatings limit the amount of light entering the eyes. They help to prevent eye fatigue. They are mostly preferred by people living in high-glare environments. UV protection, however, is not guaranteed.

c) Gradient

Gradient lenses have shades from top to bottom or from top and bottom toward the middle. Single gradient lenses are dark on top and lighter on the bottom. They reduce glare from the sky allowing you to see clearly. As such, they are needed especially for driving. On the other hand, double-gradient lenses have dark on top and bottom and lighter middle. Wear double-gradient lenses if you’re planning for skiing or sailing.

8. Mind the Color

Every lens’ color performs a specific function. So, choose the color carefully.

Red Lenses: Red sunglasses offer comfort and help the eyes adjust to contrast. Winter sports fans hitting the slopes are often spotted sporting these rosy tinted lenses. Red lenses increase depth of vision and field. Plus, it ensures more visibility while you’re driving. As it reduces eye strain, both gamers and computer uses prefer this colored lens.

Gray: Whether it’s a sunny or a cloudy day, gray sunglasses suit both, ensuring glare shining off water and wet roads. Plus, this tint offers anti-fatigue benefits. They are a perfect choice for outdoor activities, including cycling, fishing, and active sports. Nature lovers also love gray lenses because it allows the wearer to see objects in their purest form.

Blue: Enhances contrast. Great for variable conditions. Improves depth perception. Perfect for driving, racing, golfing, and fishing.

Yellow: Yellow lens tints can be spotted on outdoor enthusiasts who may find themselves having to focus their eyes on moving objects in low-light, hazy conditions. Yellow lenses provide greater clarity, perfect for pilots, and can also reduce eye strain for computer users and gaming fans. Whether you spend your leisure time in front of a screen, on the tennis courts, or the shooting range, you’ll enjoy greater clarity and comfort with yellow tinted sunglasses.   

9. Price Doesn’t Matter

Many people think the pricier the sunglass is, the better will it work. But, it’s not necessarily have to be pricey. A lot of good sunglasses offering 100% UV protection also available in budget-friendly prices.

10. Brown or Amber Glasses for Diabetic Retinopathy Patients

Brown or amber lenses enhance contrast. Consequently, you’ll be able to see more clearly. According to the ophthalmologist, Rishi Singh, patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy should use these lenses for a better vision.