About Sunglasses and What Are Some Important Points in Choosing the Right One?

Sunglasses

This word conjures up images of people, across all age groups, social strata and nationalities, wearing a variety of sunglasses, from the simplest to the trendiest.

Sunglasses never go out of fashion. In fact, fashion and sunglasses are a very unique combination newer designs are seen in both, all the time. Today's generation goes for the looks of these sunglasses.

Sunglasses basically serve 2 purposes.

• They protect the eyes from the harmful UV rays.
• They proclaim the wearer's style statement as it is also worn as a fashion accessory.

Sunglasses are worn for a variety of other reasons too.

• To avoid eye contact.
• To hide one's emotions.
• To hide abnormal eye appearance as in the blind.
• To hide many disease conditions affecting the eyes like conjunctivitis, black eye etc.
• To hide eye movements especially in games like poker.

Additionally, sunglasses boost one's self-confidence and personality, in many cases.

Why Do We Need To Protect The Eyes From UV Rays?

Ultraviolet rays are one of the causative factors for developing cataract and other vision problems.
In addition, the high energy visible (HEV) radiations or blue light, are absorbed deep into the eyes causing retinal damage and macular degeneration. Also, sunglasses dilate the pupils so it is absolutely imperative that one goes for sunglasses whose lenses absorb 100% of UV radiation.
Polycarbonate lenses absorb 100% UV rays. Polaroid sunglasses are another. Always buy lenses or sunglasses of reputed brands to be sure that they are 100% UV absorbing.

Even if you are wearing a large hat but are out in the sun, you need sunglasses because UV radiation can be reflected by the water, road, sandy beaches, car windshield glass, etc. Snow and windshield glass can throwback almost double the intensity of UV rays.

An optician or an ophthalmologist can evaluate the level of UV and visible light radiation that the sunglasses block by using a spectrophotometer.

Bronze, copper or reddish-brown coloured lenses block blue light or HEV rays. To enable more protection from the sides of the sunglasses, prefer a frame with a thicker temple or a wrap-around type of frame.

Sunglasses For Kids

Sunglasses are in fact more necessary for kids for the following reasons.

• Our eyes get 80% of their total UV exposure by age 18. So it is never too early for kids to start wearing sunglasses.
• Kids spend much more time outdoors than most of the adults.
• The eyes of children are more sensitive to UV radiation and blue light.
• In tropical areas, at high altitudes and in environments where light is highly reflected, like sandy beaches, water, snow etc, sunglasses become all the more important for children, because of the increased UV radiation.

Different Types Of Lenses And Their Benefits

• Blue Light Blockers

Such lenses block the HEV rays or blue light. They are usually amber coloured. It is believed that HEV radiation is harmful to the eyes.

• Polaroid Lenses

To block the horizontal glare coming from water, the road surface or a sandy beach.

• Anti-reflective Lenses

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These block the glare reflecting from the back surface of the lenses.

• Mirror Coated Lenses

These have a special coating on the outside of the lenses. Thus they reflect a good amount of light back and effectively reduce the amount of light entering the eyes.
Such lenses are very useful in extremely bright conditions.

• Gradient Lenses

These lenses are tinted dark at the top and going lighter lower down.

• Double Gradient Lenses

These are tinted equally at both the top and the bottom while being lightest in colour at the middle.

• Photochromatic Lenses

These are coloured lenses that change their level of darkness in response to the surrounding brightness.

Though lens colour has no bearing on the UV protection particular colour lenses work better in certain situations. For example, yellow lenses for target shooting and brown lenses for golf players as these provide a better and clearer view thus enhancing vision for the related sports.

Some Points To Keep In Mind While Buying Sunglasses

• One type of sunglasses will definitely not be suitable for all occasions. For instance, one day you could be by the beach and the next day you could be playing golf.
  In the first case, polaroid lenses will help to avoid the horizontal glare from the water and sand, while for golf, brown tinted lenses will help in better depth perception.
• Hold the sunglasses at some distance in front to check for distortion in the lens by moving the sunglasses across the field of view.
• More expensive sunglasses do not necessarily offer the best UV protection. They could be more trendy than protective.
• Purchase sunglasses that cover the entire eyes well. Also, be sure the eyes are not visible through the lenses.
• A lighter colour frame may not come through on fair skin and vice versa. Therefore consider your clothes colour, skin colour, hair colour while selecting sunglasses.
• If you want trendy and good quality sunglasses, go for branded ones like the ones mentioned below.

Some Points To Consider When Choosing A Frame

It is very important that the sunglasses we choose also look good on our face. This includes the style of the frame and the colour of the lenses.

When choosing sunglasses one should consider these points.

• Sunglasses frames matching primarily with the skin tone and then with the eye & hair colour go better than ones that do not.
• The shape of the frame should contrast with the shape of the face.
• The size of the frame should be in proportion to the size of the face.

Choosing Sunglasses Based On The Shape Of The Face

Face shapes are of 7 types :

Round, Oval, Heart, Square, Diamond, Oblong & Triangular.

Choose frames that suit your face and add to your personality rather than blindly following trends. However, if you wish to accentuate a particular feature like a sweet and delicate face then you could go in for a much larger frame that draws attention. Usually, frames that contrast with the shape of the face, are selected. Select frames and lenses that go well with your skin tone, eye colour and hair colour too.

• Oval Face

This is the most well-balanced face.
Most frame styles go well with this type of face but do not select a large frame.

• Round Face

This face is shorter than an oval face but with smooth curves and without any abrupt angles. Frames which add some angles will go well with this face shape and make the face appear longer.

• Heart Shape Face

This face is wider at the forehead & narrower at the chin with prominent cheekbones.
Choose sunglasses that are wider at the base than at the top for a chin broadening effect or select rimless sunglasses.
Avoid top wide and decorated sunglasses.

• Square Face

A face wide both at the forehead and chin levels.
Sunglasses that do not make the face appear wider but accentuate the length of the face would do well in this case.
Angular frames are out. Round or oval frames are in.

• Oblong Face

As the name says this face is longer than it is wide with high cheekbones, long nose and high forehead.
Choose tall frames with broad lenses and wide or decorated temples to add width.

• Diamond Face

This face is narrower at both the eye line and the jawline. The chin is small with prominent cheekbones.
Oval, cat eye or rimless frames go well with this face, the latter accentuating the cheekbones.

• Triangular Face

This face has a narrow forehead and a wide jaw. The eye line widens at the cheeks and chin.
Semi-rimless frames and top-heavy frames suit this type of face.

Some Leading Brands In Sunglasses

• RAYBAN

It is an Italian brand, founded in 1937 and the biggest manufacturer of sunglasses

• OAKLEY

It is an American brand founded in 1937 manufacturing sports products.

• PRADA

It is an Italian brand founded in 1913 manufacturing fashion goods.

• POLAROID

It is an American brand founded in 1937, manufacturing electronics and eyewear.

• GUCCI

It is an Italian brand founded in 1921 manufacturing consumer goods.

• FENDI

It is an Italian brand founded in 1925, dealing in multinational luxury goods.

• GUESS

It is an American brand founded in 1981 manufacturing fashion goods.

• VOGUE

It is an American brand manufacturing fashion goods.

• DKNY (DONNA KARAN NEW YORK)

It is an American brand founded in 1981 manufacturing fashion goods.

• EMPORIO ARMANI

It is an Italian fashion company founded in 1975.

Peggy shares the importance of wearing sunglasses for eye health in this hub!

• Eye Protection and the Importance of Wearing Sunglasses
  There are many good reasons to wear sunglasses in addition to fashion. Learn about Pterygium, Photokeratitis, Cataract, Cancer Prevention & more.

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Importance Of Sunglasses For Health

How To Choose Sunglasses?

Sunglasses

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2012 Rajan Singh Jolly

Comments

Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on August 30, 2013:

You are right, LKMore. Sunglasses should be considered more of a necessity for the protection of the eyes than as a fashion accessory alone. Glad you like the information. Thanks.

LKMore01 on August 29, 2013:

Excellent and informative reminder, rajan. 80% exposure to UVA is extremely high and most of us forget we wear sunglasses to protect our eyes rather than just make a fashion statement.( or use then to keep our hair back like a headband which I do all the time) Here you have covered both the practical and the fashionable side of eyewear.

Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on August 29, 2013:

Thanks, Hackslap. I'm glad you found these of help.

Harry from Sydney, Australia on August 29, 2013:

Nice article as always .. Down Under in Oz we're getting ready for another blazing summer so these are certainly some useful tips..

Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on April 09, 2013:

You are right, Peggy! I'd say the health aspect should be first on our mind when purchasing sunglasses and we should go for good quality lenses that block as much of the UV radiation as possible.

I appreciate your linking my hub with yours and thanks for the votes and sharing.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on April 09, 2013:

Terrific article about sunglasses and why we should all be protecting our eyes with them. Thanks for the link back to my hub which discusses more of the diseases one can get by not protecting our eyes. Will definitely link your hub back to mine. Getting this message out is important! Up, useful and sharing.

Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on May 07, 2012:

Sheila, I'm glad you found this useful enough. Summer is here and many of us need to get a new pair. I appreciate your taking out time to read, comment and vote. Thank you so much.

sheilanewton from North Shields, UK on May 07, 2012:

What a brilliantly put-together hub. You've given me everything I could possibly need to choose the right sunnies for me. I usually buy them in the 'pound' shops. I should really get myself a good pair. Thank you. Rated.

Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on April 24, 2012:

flashmakeit, with the summer here, some of us would be wanting to go in for a new pair of sunglasses. This hub is an effort to be of use in this direction.

I appreciate your reading and liking the hub article.

Thank you.

flashmakeit from usa on April 24, 2012:

Useful sunglasses hub!! Thank for writing about people faces and which type of sunglasses would go with their face shape.

Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on April 23, 2012:

Yes of course, Lady_E. Thanks for reading and leaving your input. Much appreciated.

Lady_E on April 23, 2012:

Oh... lets's just go for the Gucci ones. :-)

On a serious note, this is a very useful Hub. There are so many factors to bear in mind - not just the brand.

Thanks.

Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on April 23, 2012:

Vinaya, most of us I believe select sunglasses for a dual purpose meaning we choose sunglasses that look good on our face as well as protect the eyes from the harmful sun radiations.

Glad you stopped by to read and comment.

Thanks.

Vinaya Ghimire from Nepal on April 22, 2012:

I use sunglasses, partly as a fashion statement and partly for saving my eyes from sun.

Thanks for sharing good information.

Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on April 22, 2012:

Aurelio, I too did buy some reading glasses from 99 cent store, just to keep some spare ones in case I broke one.

Thanks for reading and voting.

Aurelio Locsin from Orange County, CA on April 22, 2012:

Since I am always losing my sunglasses, I buy the cheapest once I can from the 99-cent store. Voting this Up and Useful.

Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on April 21, 2012:

@ iamaudraleigh - thanks for appreciating the write up. Thanks for sparing time to read and vote.

@ Christy - Yes summer is upon us. I'm glad the hub is on time and hope it benefits you in finding a pair that suits you. Your visit is always a delight. Thank you.

@ jainismus - Thanks for your wonderful comments. I'm honored. Thank you so much.

Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on April 21, 2012:

Ruchira, facts are funny sometimes but true always - the one regarding poker!

I'm glad you mentioned about cholesterol. It was in my mind to do a hub on it sometime later. But now that you mention it, the next hub will be on natural remedies to control cholesterol. In a few days for sure.

I appreciate your sparing time to read and appreciate.

Thank you. Your visit is always a pleasure.

Mahaveer Sanglikar from Pune, India on April 21, 2012:

rajan jolly, this is a great Hub you have written in detail. Very useful and informative, thank you for sharing.

Mahaveer Sanglikar from Pune, India on April 21, 2012:

rajan jolly, this is a great Hub you have written in detail. Very useful and informative, thank you for sharing.

Christy Birmingham from British Columbia, Canada on April 21, 2012:

Good tips! I like to bring a friend along to help me and give me feedback on the looks :) A good hub with sunshine here!

iamaudraleigh on April 21, 2012:

great hub! It differs and is better than other hubs on sunglasses because you added , "Choosing Sunglasses Based On The Shape Of The Face"! Good option!!! Voted up!

Ruchira from United States on April 21, 2012:

great interesting hub, Rajan. I like the sentence where sunglasses are worn when playing poker...lol funny but true :)

I also liked how you described the face type and what kind of glasses suite...well written indeed.

btw, rajan could you write a hub on natural way to lower cholestrol? I regard your hubs as well informative ones to pass it along to my dear friend who lately saw a spike in her cholestrol via a blood test. thanks!

Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on April 21, 2012:

Kelly, thanks for the read and votes. Much appreciated.

Kelly Umphenour from St. Louis, MO on April 21, 2012:

I do need a good pair as summer days are coming! Thanks goodness now I know the proper shape to get:) lol. Up and everything!