Sunglasses are a necessary form of protection for anyone venturing outdoors. Sunglasses protect our eyes from the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays while reducing glare and protecting eyes from sun-related eye problems. That said there have never been more sunglasses options, designs, technology and styles to choose from.
Whether your sunglasses needs are in a designer pair of sunglasses, sunglasses for your children, performance and sport sunglasses, prescription or non-prescription sunglasses it will be difficult to select just one pair.
There are a few helpful suggestions to aid you when purchasing sunglasses. It is important that the frame fits comfortably on your face, if you do select a frame that is too large keep in mind it can often be adjusted. If metal frames are chosen they can sometimes be slightly bent for a better fit, plastic frames can often be heated for a better fit. There are recommendations for finding sunglass shapes and colors that will complement your own face shape and coloring, ask your salesperson for ideas. It might be noted that sunglasses in general are taking on larger sizes, as wearers want ultimate protection from the sun's harmful rays.
It is also important to only purchase sunglasses with ninety nine to one hundred percent UVA and UVB protection, labels should be attached to the lenses. It is a good idea to wear sunglasses that block the sun from all angles by wearing a large framed pair of glasses that wrap around the face. A wide brimmed hat may also be worn for further protection.
Designer sunglasses have never been more abundant or popular. The sunglasses usually keep in step with the particular image that the designer has already created with their clothing, advertising and accessory designs. Most often if you like the clothing from a designer you will appreciate their sunglasses lines. The only way to know for sure is to try the glasses on and find what looks best on you. Along with designer sunglasses celebrities are bringing out designs Like the designers they try to stay consistent with the image they have created through their music, movies, television and modeling.
Sunglasses are just as important for children as they are for adults, probably even more so considering most children spend more time playing outdoors in direct sunlight then do adults. It may however be a bit difficult to get your children to wear sunglasses when outdoors. Fortunately the options in children's sunglasses prove to be quite appealing for children, and hopefully the designs available will keep them wearing the shades on a regular basis. Children's sunglasses are available for purchase at specialty sunglasses stores, optical shops, and optical chain stores and from your optician. It should be noted that sunglass lenses are impact resistant (this is required by the FDA) but not shatterproof, which is why many parents prefer the polycarbonate (shatterproof) lenses for their children's sunglasses since they are strong and durable. Sports sunglasses and sports eyewear are another option for children instead of regular sunglasses, as the sports sunglasses will be more durable. Sunglass clip-ons for children's prescription eyeglasses can also be purchased.
The popularity of outdoors sports such as skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, rock climbing, golfing, sailing and kayaking have created top of the line designs and excellent technology in sports lenses. Sports sunglasses are available in lightweight, durable materials, flexible designs with no slip designs and wonderful lenses options. Tinted lenses are made in a variety of shades to help efficiency in certain situations. The polycarbonate (shatterproof) lenses are extremely strong and impact-resistant giving benefit to people involved in high impact sports. The polarized lenses are a great choice for people participating in sports such as sailing and skiing where water and snow are involved. Of course there are multipurpose sunglasses, with some sunglasses in a changeable lens system design offering different lenses for different conditions.
Prescription eyeglass wearers can purchase prescription sunglasses with all the styles and options of regular sunglasses. The nice thing about owning prescription sunglasses is that you can wear your sunglasses outdoors and not have to continually be searching for your clip-on eyeglass covers. Prescription sunglasses are available from basic to high prescription needs with bifocal and progressive lens options. Prescription sunglasses are also available in designer and celebrity designs, unless there is a severe curve in the wrap, which would cause distortion. The photochromic lenses are a convenient choice allowing the wearer to go from sunlight in which the lenses would be dark to the indoors where the lenses become lighter, unfortunately with these particular sunglasses the UV is not in the lens unless specially applied.
The non-prescription (plano) sunglasses come in a vast variety of styling, designs and materials. The shapes and styles for both men and women range from sporty, to retro, rectangular, futuristic and glamorous to bejeweled and embellished looks. The Jackie O shapes, and variety of tinted lenses from blue to coral are the most popular styles of the moment. There are also designs, which come in rimless and semi-rimless options. Frame materials include plastic, metal and specialty metals such as stainless steel, aluminum and titanium (all offering lightweight and durability). The classic aviator style of the 1950 and 1960's is another popular option. Jewels and rhinestones on the front or temples is another trend.
