In the same way your clothes say a lot about your sense of style and taste, your choice of sunglasses makes a statement about the type of person you are.  Sunglasses are a fun fashion statement and they are also a serious health accessory.

Wearing sunglasses is essential because your eyes need sun protection the same way your skin does.  Exposure to two different types of ultra-violet radiation coming from the sun can damage your eyes.  UVB rays can sunburn and damage the cornea and lens of the eye.  Exposure to UVB rays have been linked to cataracts, macular degeneration, and growths on the eye’s surface.  UVA rays are less intense but can penetrate deeper into the eyes.  These are also the rays that cause the skin to wrinkle (“crow’s feet”) around the eyes.

When choosing sunglasses for protection from the sunlight, you should look for labels that say “blocks 100% UV”, “UV400”, or “blocks 400 Nm”.  Those tags mean all UV radiation is absorbed or blocked by the lens.

Here are more tips and facts to help you in your selection process:

Lenses that block UV rays receive a chemical coating designed to do just that.  The color of the lens has no bearing on the sunglasses ability to block UV rays.  Polarized and mirrored sunglasses merely reduce glare, they do not block out UV rays unless they are also coated for that purpose.

Sunglasses can be quite expensive.  However, cost is no indication of how effective the sunglasses are in blocking UV rays.  Top levels of coatings to block UV rays can be found in all price ranges.  The final cost of the sunglasses is usually a reflection of fashion or durability.

There is a common misconception that wearing any pair of sunglasses is better than wearing none at all.  This is false.  The dark lenses in a pair of uncoated sunglasses will actually dilate your pupils which will than allow in more harmful UV rays.

The larger the frame, the more protection the sunglasses will provide for your eyes and surrounding skin. 

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