Designer sunglasses can be purchased at your local fashion clothing store, online and in a variety of other high street stores. Sunglasses are a popular accessory and should feel great on but don’t forget about protecting your eyes too.
Eye Protection
Sunglasses have the practical effect of comforting your eyes from the glaring sun. This is also an important safety feature, as it greatly improves vision whilst driving (roads create terrible glare) and engaging in sporting activities.
Polarized lenses in sunglasses work by using vertically-aligned filters to block unwanted horizontally polarized light, ie. glare, whilst allowing the useful vertical light through to the eye. Non-polarized sunglasses only reduce the amount of visible light entering the eye, darkening the view. One in five sunglass lenses sold worldwide is a polarized lens, amounting to the estimated sale of 60 million polarized (or polarising) lenses.
Sunglasses also offer protection against the ultraviolet radiation which could cause cataracts and other damage to the eyes including degeneration of the macula, tissue growth on the white of the eye (pterygium) and skin cancer around the eyes if they are subjected to overexposure.
UV radiation has been classified into three types, UVA, UVB and UVC, but protection against UVC is not necessary as this type of ultraviolet is completely absorbed by oxygen and ozone in the atmosphere. It is important when buying sunglasses to make sure they are designed to block 99 to 100% of UV Radiation.
Different Lenses
Sunglass lenses come in different colours for choice of emphasis. Grey or smoke reduces all light equally and does not altar contrast, whereas amber and brown do increase contrast. Yellow is good for low visibility and dark and cloudy conditions. It is possible to have a clear lens that still provides full UV protection. Transition lenses start off with about 30% colour, and this darkens to 80% in intense sunlight.This effect is now available with plastic or polycarbonate lenses as well as glass.
99-100% protection against UV radiation should be expected from all top brands of sunglasses, such as Animal, Bloc, Bolle, Dior, Electric Visual, Givenchy, Nueu, Oakley, Quick Silver, Ray Ban, Roxy, Spy Optic, and Vestal. Sports sunglasses come with full UV protection and a fit that makes them ideal for energetic activity. Many sports styles are unisex.
Frame coverage
Another feature to consider when choosing sunglasses is frame coverage, as if sun light can reach your eyes without passing through the lens, then you have no protection from it. Also look out for shock absorbency or impact resistance, scratch resistance, hypo allergenic metal construction, and an overall comfortably lightweight product.
Style
Style wise, for men, Aviator sunglasses maintain their popularity, while the wraparound is a frame option that meets the needs of an active lifestyle and casual relaxing. If you are feeling confident and quirky there are several retro looks on offer from the top designers, such as Nueu and Ray Ban, or you can go for classic tortoiseshell. Dior are popular women’s styles and also Roxy who offer stylish and sporty styles.
SkateSurfSki provide a wide selection of the latest Designer Sunglasses with sports in mind and many for that quiet lifestyle too.