Sunglasses, as the name suggests, are a popular fashion accessory serving the job of protecting human eyes from the harsh UV rays of the sun. They block the horizontal light and glare by using the method of polarizing. What sunscreen does for the skin is equivalent to what sunglasses are meant for in the case of the eyes. And that is the precise reason why one should be wise enough when choosing a qualitative pair of sunglasses.
An urban professional or vacation setup and scorching sunlight are important enough reasons for the journey of a pair of sunglasses from their case to the eyes of their owner. While a good pair of polarized sunglasses can be termed as a need in these settings, the growing trend of changing sunglasses with every other outfit has become an increasingly adapted fashion statement. The celebrities might have enough money to own a pair of Gucci glasses with every single outfit paparazzi captures them in. However, this is not the case with the common crowd. To live up to these beauty standards in the budget is what leads young individuals to flee markets like Sarojini Nagar and Hill Road. One can avail of the latest and trendy sunglasses from such places even for mere 100 bucks. However, this article is precisely being written to warn you against such practices. We bring to you the ways to choose the best quality sunglasses.
The most important thing to bear in mind while purchasing sunglasses is that your eyes need protection from UV rays. Hence, make sure to not settle for a pair that offers less than 100% UV rays protection. UV filter category UV 400 is also the best protection a sunglass can offer. You can ensure this by checking the sticker that accompanies all branded sunglasses listing out its features. A fun way to check this can also be the UV flashlight experiment. Send the light across a currency note and see if the watermark lights up. Then see it using your sunglasses. If it disappears while wearing them, your glasses are protected. Also, to maximize the protection, choose the largest size of lenses and frame possible, that complements your face well. The larger the surface area of the lenses, the lesser are the eyes exposed.
I am sure most of us must be proud owners of one such pair of glasses that is years old. It could be because it was an expensive pair or maybe out of sheer emotions like it being your first pair or a gift from somebody. That pair might even flatter your beautiful face like none other. However, wearing sunglasses beyond their expiry date is not a healthy practice. Yes, you heard it right! Sunglasses have expiry dates too. Even the best quality sunglasses would expire after a period of two to three years. When used over time, sunglasses tend to lose their protection ability due to repeated exposure to the sun.
Next comes the color. It is no less than a myth that darker-shaded lenses give out higher protection against harmful sun rays. It is not the saturation of color but yet again the sticker that you need to look out for. You don’t need a zed-back lens but one that is highly UV ray protected. Plus, it is a tested fact that brown or rose-colored lenses provide higher sun blockage as opposed to other colors. Darker colors make one’s pupil open wider which leads to a higher amount of light entering the eye.
Also, don’t confuse the polarized lenses for ones protecting your eyes against UV rays. Polarization of lenses is done by lamination of a special chemical in the vertical pattern on lenses. Hence, this technique fights glare coming out of shiny surfaces such as water as it only allows vertical light to pass through and blocks horizontally traveling light from touching the cornea. Besides, they enhance contrast and visual clarity, and comfort. While one can think of it as an added advantage to their stylish pair of sunglasses, always keep in mind what makes sunglasses the best.
The material of the lens is another parameter to check the best quality sunglasses. While glass lenses have been traditionally used in sunglass manufacturing for decades, their fragility is a serious issue. Glass lenses have a higher tendency to be more susceptible to damage when dropped on the ground or met with any other accident. This problem has been solved by replacing the glass lens with plastic. While plastic is vulnerable to wear and tear too, compared to glass, these chances are fairly minimal. Frames should also be of a durable material that does not irritate the skin around the stick and nose rest so that breakouts don’t happen.
As it is said, the first impression is the last, the packaging of a sunglass can also speak about its quality. While it is not the most important parameter to judge a pair of glasses on, there is no harm in considering it nonetheless. Someone would generally put the thought in the packaging of a product that is good too. High-end pairs coming with a pouch, case, and cleaning cloth are more appealing than others and also good quality. A polished look should also be looked out for.
These suggestions are for everyday sunglasses. When considering the purchase of sunglasses for special activities like tanning, skiing in the snow, welding, sports, etc, one should bear in mind the specialized nature of these activities. One should choose such sunglasses for these purposes that suit the requirement of these activities.
And last but not the least, all these qualities need not empty your pockets. Not all high-end products need to be the best. Similarly, extremely cheap glasses should not be a part of your wardrobe. It is wiser to invest in one such pair of sunglasses every two to three years that offers these qualities at a drugstore price. One can even browse on trusted online shopping sites, read details about the product, and order what they think suits their face as well as pocket.
