Sunglasses can protect your eyes against the harmful rays of the sun. You need to purchase pair of sunglasses that can reduce the glare and filter 99 to 100 per cent of ultraviolet rays. A lot of fashion sunglasses are available in the market but you need to purchase the pair that is going to be comfortable and offer you the best protection.

Children also need sunglasses. The lenses should be large enough to shield the eyes for all angles. They should be bendable, unbreakable and impact resistant. They should be made of polycarbonate.

How Eyes Get Damaged

Constant exposure to sunlight can damage the eyes. It may not happen immediately, but will progress and become noticeable with time. Anyone who spends time in the sun needs to protect their eyes for the damaging effects of the sun. If you spend many hours in the sun, you need even more protection. People who are on certain medications like birth control pills and sulfa drugs need more protection. So also, do people who have had a cataract operation recently.

The sun gives off three types of rays. Visible rays are those which you see as color, infrared is invisible but felt as heat, and ultra violet which is also invisible but causes sun burns. Your delicate eyes need to be protected for all three kinds of light but more so, ultraviolet light.

Types of Sunglasses

You may purchase clip-on lenses to go on top of your prescription lenses but they may fall off or scratch your prescription lenses. You can also wear gradient lenses. They have two different shades. They may be darker on top and less below. These can be beneficial when light comes from above, or with reflected light. Mirrored lenses have a coating of a thin metallic film so they reflect light and the amount of light reaching your eye is reduced even more. You can also buy photo chromatic lenses. They darken when you are in bright light and lighten when you are indoors. Polarizing Sunglasses are useful if you are riding in the sun. They bounce up reflections from flat surfaces.

Neutral grey or smoke lenses are the best buy because they allow the best color perception. You may also choose amber or brown. The other colors allow only some of the colors to pass through so your perception will not be very good if you wear them.

Visit a professional store that deals with the sale of good quality sunglasses and they will help you to choose a good pair. Check how much UV protection it will give you. Read the label properly. It must offer you 99 to 100 per cent protection. Be aware of scratches that may be already present on the lenses. All lenses should be impact-resistant. This does not mean that they will never break, but they will be resistant to quite a lot of pressure. They need to be made of optical quality glass or plastic. Sunglasses can be purchased without a prescription. Polycarbonate is the best material for glasses of sports people or children. Since most of the sunlight comes from above, it is also advisable to wear a cap when you are out in the sun.