What to look for when buying sunglasses
Are cheap department store shades up to snuff?
Some people don’t mind spending big bucks just to look cool in a pair of fancy shades. Some people are fine with a cheap pair off a department store rack just to get them through the summer, or until they get misplaced and can be replaced inexpensively.
Some people require a certain quality of sunglasses to protect their sensitive eyes from the bright daylight.
No matter the need or expense, there are some things to keep in mind when searching for the right pair of sunglasses.
Nancy Morrell is the office manager at Family Vision Centre in Charlottetown.
She said the first thing to look for when purchasing sunglasses is a lens with UV protection that provides full protection from ultraviolet light.
Dr. Alanna Stetson an optometrist at Dr. Kelly D. Bowes and Associates in Summerside, P.E.I., agreed, adding that the lenses should block out 99 to 100 per cent of UV-A and UV-B radiation.
Morrell said the second item to consider are sunglasses with polarized lens.
“It reduces glare and images tend to be clearer and sharper through good quality lens,” she noted.
Stetson added that polarized lenses make it easier and more comfortable to see on bright days, but warns that “polarization does not offer more protection from UV.”
The third crucial thing Morrell said to be wary of is ensuring a proper fit of the sunglasses,
“A (good) frame has good coverage and lets in the least amount of light, such as a wrap-style frame,” she said.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Not being diligent about properly wearing sunglasses can make you more susceptible to the hazards of sunlight.
“Sunglasses that do not have proper coverage and adequate UV protection can let in more light exposing your eyes to sun damage, which can increase risk of some eye conditions such as cataracts or macular degeneration and even skin cancer of surrounding skin,” said Morrell.
In addition to those risks, Stetson noted that exposure to UV light is linked to other eye health problems such as growths on the cornea and conjunctiva and periocular skin cancer.
“Wearing sunglasses that don’t adequately block the UV light or not wearing sunglasses at all, increases your risk for developing these conditions,” said Stetson.
ARE CHEAPER DEPARTMENT STORE SUNGLASSES UP TO SNUFF?
Edward Wall is an optician and certified contact lens fitter. He and his wife Carmen are the owners of In Focus Optical, which they opened in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia in 2000.
“Some department store ones are OK for UV protection, but they may have lenses that are punched into the frame, instead of being cut to fit and will therefore have distortion,” said Wall.
Not all sunglasses provide the proper protection needed or fit properly, added Morrell. She also pointed out that some sunglasses are more of a fashion accessory than an important piece of protection.*
Stetson said that sunglasses don’t have to be expensive to provide good UV protection.
“You can’t tell how much UV protection a pair of sunglasses has just based on the colour, the darkness or the price,” she said.
To be sure of the amount of UV protection, Stetson encouraged people to check the label.
“Inexpensive sunglasses are more likely to have imperfections in the lenses and the tint may be inconsistent,” she cautioned. “These imperfections can cause distortions that could cause eyestrain. The lenses in inexpensive sunglasses can also scratch more easily.”
PROTECTING KIDS’ EYES
Stetson stressed the importance of protecting kids’ eyes from the sun because UV light exposure is cumulative.
“The majority of a person’s lifetime exposure to UV light occurs before turning 18 years old,” she said. “… Kids, on average, spend more time outdoors and the crystalline lens inside children’s eyes are less capable of filtering UV than an adult’s eyes.”
POPULAR CURRENT STYLES
Maui Jim, Rayban and Oakley are among the popular and recommended brands at the moment. Maui Jim sunglasses have earned the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation as an effective UV filter for the eyes and surrounding skin.
Wall said, besides selling Maui Jim and Oakley branded sunglasses, his clinic can also make any prescription glasses into sunglasses.
“We have used these two brands as they have excellent warranties for parts and are also available in (a prescription) if the customer needs vision correction,” said Wall, adding that the most popular sunglasses style is still the Aviator.
“And you can never go wrong with the basic black frame,” he commented.