Sexy and Stylish – How to Have Both While Protecting Your Eye Health!

Do you plan on spending much time outdoors this summer? The right sunglasses can protect your eyes as well as looking quite seductive. They don’t have to be prescription lenses any more, and you’ll see why after reading this article.

UVR -What Is It?

Your vision is something that must be protected at all costs.  There are many ways of damaging your eyes but sunlight is number one. Most people are aware of the damage that the sun can do to their skin, but they neglect to protect their eyes.  The ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun can cause short term and long term damage to the eyes.

Some of the short term symptoms are; the eyes feel like there’s sand in them, difficulty looking at bright lights, excessive watering, and swelling. Some of the long term symptoms can be; sunburn of the cornea, called snow blindness, skin cancer of the eyelids, cancer of the thin membrane covering the eye (conjunctiva), and cataracts.

Get A Good Pair Of Sunglasses

Fortunately, a good pair of sunglasses can prevent this damage. The summer is when the most damage occurs because UV radiation levels are highest then. Although, the reflected glare in the winter from the snow can be just as damaging. So it is important to wear sunglasses year round when there is danger from direct sunlight or reflected glare.

Except the sunglasses that are exclusively for cosmetic use, most sunglasses have an eye protection factor (EPF). Since 10 is the ideal number for the optimum protection, you should choose a pair as close to that as possible. A wrap around style can block out peripheral glare. Even young children should wear sunglasses because they are more vulnerable to sun-induced eye damage.

Australia was the first country to introduce a national standard for sunglasses, followed by the UK, Germany, France and the USA.The standard is called AS/NZS 1067. It is the only mandatory sunglass standard in the world.  A revised version is AS/NZS 1067:2003.  Prescription sunglasses are excluded from this standard, but optometrists have a professional duty to make sure that they do comply.

So, armed with this array of facts, how does one go about choosing sunglasses that are stylish and protect the eyes at the same time? Sunglass manufacturers are well aware of people’s need to look sexy in glasses. They have managed to create sunglasses in every style and color imaginable and still comply with the standard for UV protection.

The Darker The Better – Is It True?

Most people think that very dark glasses offer the most protection. This is simply not true. It is the lens coating that determines the protection. Some people have their regular prescription lenses tinted so they don’t have to change glasses when they go outside or are driving. These glasses don’t offer the same protection as regular sunglasses and in the length of time it takes for them to darken, sun damage can occur.  Also, they don’t darken up very well in the car because many windshields have tinted glass.

If the sunglasses are to be used while driving, make sure colors are still easily recognized through the lenses.  Some tints modify colors so that traffic lights can be misread.  Wrap around glasses are fashionable for the ski slope, but not so much for general wear.  The extra protection is worth not being quite as sexy or stylish though.  Different colored lenses are very popular with the younger folks, but they often have a rating of only 6 and can distort colors.

Some medications can make eyes more sensitive to sun damage, so high quality sunglasses are a must for people on these medications.

The bottom line is, you can be as sexy or as stylish as you want, given all the choices there are available, but just be sure they comply with the standard and have a high rating.