Review Contents
Types of Sunglasses
Wayfarers
Sunglasses in the style of the ’50s’ ubiquitous “Wayfarers” are making a modern-day comeback. The ubiquitous Ray-Ban frames are manufactured by a wide variety of companies. They have sturdy, plastic frames. In appearance, they resemble square frames, but their rounded bases give them the appearance of an inverted trapezoid.
Aviators
For nearly as long, Aviator sunglasses have been a fashion staple. The lenses are progressively narrower from the outer edge toward the bridge of the nose. Their metal frames form a teardrop silhouette. And, of course, the recognizable bar across the forehead. Although plastic versions of aviator frames do exist, metal versions are more common due to the style’s popularity.
Sunglasses With a Nose Bridge
Sunglasses with a bowline feature a wider top frame that follows the arch of your brow and thinner, rounder rims around the bottom of the lenses. The past decade has seen a meteoric rise in popularity for these vintage-inspired eyewear frames.
Sunglasses With a Square Shape
Sunglasses with square shapes are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes. In particular, they complement the round, oval, and oblong facial profiles. When combined with softer features, they provide a lovely contrast.
Glasses That Are Shaped Like a Circle
The frames of round sunglasses can be either sturdy metal or thin plastic. Round frames are incredibly adaptable, allowing you to achieve looks ranging from classic to cutting-edge with ease.
Eyewear With a Cat-Eye Shape
Lenses with cat-eye frames are often curved upward and outward, away from the eyes. Their broad frames come in an array of vibrant hues. They have a retro-feminine aesthetic and are currently all the rage.
Sunglasses in a Rectangle Shape
A pair of rectangular frames are just a pair of square sunglasses on steroids. They have a large frame with straight, vintage lines that can be worn with any outfit.
Round-Shaped Eyewear
Larger than round, oval sunglasses have softer corners. Their frames are often made of thick plastic, but they are also available in thin metal. Almost any face shape will look good in these oblong frames.
Sunglasses With a Wraparound Design
Sunglasses that “wrap around” the face are rounded at the top and bottom. They provide excellent security as they have one of the widest fields of view available. It’s because of this that sportswear companies like Oakley benefit from their use. They are also a common sporting fashion choice for women.
Wraparound Sunglasses for Outdoor Sports
Different types of lenses and straps to keep your glasses in place are common features of sports eyewear. Protect your eyes from dust, debris, and sunshine with ease. Some of the most common shapes for sports glasses are rectangles and wraps.
Unusually Large Sunglasses
Another trendy accessory these days are massive glasses. You can count on square or oval lenses and sturdy frames. Some of the frames will feature a variety of colors or other embellishments that give them a vintage yet contemporary feel.
Sunglasses With a Club Master Shape
Club masters, like brow line frames, feature a thick bridge and temples but thinner rims around the bottom. Round or nearly circular lenses are common, as is a bar across the browline, similar to aviator glasses, providing a cool and contemporary look.
Butterfly-Shaped Eyewear
Butterfly glasses are a variation of the enormous and cat-eye styles of sunglasses; they share the latter’s thick frames that are broader around the ears and taper toward the bridge of the nose.
Spectacles With a Geometric Pattern
The geometric sunglasses are cool and original. They can be found in a wide array of hues, dimensions, and skeleton constructions. They have a lot of odd angles and details.
Sunglasses With a Flip-Up Arm
You may use your flip-up shades inside or outside thanks to their dual circular lenses. They’re designed for contemporary fashion, yet they have a distinct steam-punk vibe.
Spectacles With a Protective Shield
Sunglasses with large lenses, like shields, are the most protective option. However, the square form does not flatter every face. Those that require a high level of security favor these.
Factors to Consider Before Buying Sunglasses
Sunglasses are an essential piece of eyewear. It’s a fashionable accessory that also shields your eyes from harmful UV rays. There are some important considerations that you should keep in mind when shopping for glasses online, whether you’re looking for prescription glasses or a high-end brand.
Seek Out Sunscreen With UV Protection
In this regard, the first consideration is likely among the most crucial. Don’t freak out over the price or the color options. Lens price, color, and obscurity have nothing to do with their ability to block UV radiation. UV immersion is enhanced by adding certain chemicals to the lens materials during production or by applying specific lens coatings once glass and plastic lenses have already absorbed UV light.
Choose sunglasses with a UV protection factor of at least 100. UV absorption up to 400nm, as stated on some labels, is equivalent to total UV protection.
A pair of sunglasses is only as effective as its ability to filter UV rays, so it’s important to be sure that the ones you buy meet that standard. Always check the glasses’ packaging for a label indicating whether or not they protect from ultraviolet light, as this is the most crucial consideration when purchasing them.
Make Sure They Are Effective in Obstructing Light
Not only should you get a pair of UV 400 sunglasses, but you should also make sure they provide adequate protection from sunlight. You can use any fashionable pair. That is, they need to be able to block between 75% and 90% of light.
Wearing sunglasses in front of a mirror is an easy way to check if they are dark enough to keep the sun out of your eyes; if you can see your eyes clearly, they need to be replaced.
Make Sure the Lenses Are High-quality
The lenses and tint must be of high quality. You should prioritize a consistent shade over a darker one. Holding the glasses at arm’s length allows you to glance through the lenses at a distance to check for defects like the edge of the door. Carefully, you should then cross the line with the glass. An imperfect lens would have a straight edge that curves, distorts, sways, or moves. Check out our blog for tips on determining the quality of your sunglasses: How to Tell If Your Sunglasses Are Any Good.
Use a Larger Pair of Sunglasses
They say size doesn’t matter, but who said that? The more of your eyes are shielded by sunglasses, the less exposure your eyes will have to the sun. Always check the eyewear sizing chart before making an online purchase. Wear large or wraparound eyewear. As a result, the amount of harmful ultraviolet radiation reaching the eyes will be greatly reduced, making sunglasses safe to wear.
Choosing larger sunglasses may seem like a smart idea, but remember that you will be wearing them for lengthy periods, so make sure they fit well and are comfortable. Refer to our glasses size guide if you need help determining which size of sunglasses will fit you best.
Make Sure You’re Using the Right Lens Color
Sunglasses lenses can be any of several colors, including grey, green, and brown. Sun protection is unaffected by the lens color, although lens color can affect visual contrast.
It has been found that some lens colors improve contrast, which may be advantageous for golfers and baseball players.
Coverings
The frames of these sunglasses completely enclose the wearer’s eyes, making them more secure. Wraparound sunglasses protect from UV rays coming in from all angles. What a brilliant idea, right? Standard frames allow in enough UV light to reduce the lenses’ defensive capabilities, as has been demonstrated in previous research.
But, as you probably already know, trends come and go. Wraparound sunglasses can be made even more stylish by adding a pair of chains. They are fashionable accessories that hold on to your polarised sunglasses securely. Designs like the Cuban link, pearl, and herringbone are just a few of the many available.
Price is Never an Issue
To protect your eyes from the sun, optometrists and ophthalmologists advise always using protective eyewear anytime venturing outside, especially if you reside in a country situated near the equator or at a high altitude. The best part is that you won’t have to break the bank by buying goggles.
In terms of eyewear, a high price tag is no guarantee of optimal quality or protection. Thus, it is not always the case that high-priced sunglasses will adequately shield your eyes from harm. Even if you pay more for a pair of sunglasses, you may find that a cheaper pair with 100% UV protection is better suited to your needs.
Way of Life
In the pursuit of risk-free shades, a difficult choice must be made. We are aware that there is a wide variety of constructions and materials for protective eyewear. This is where things start to get murky. A simple consideration before purchasing sunglasses is your daily routine. Take some time to consider how you typically spend your days.
Facial Contours
As a general rule, you shouldn’t shop without doing some research first. The shape of your face is another factor to think about before purchasing sunglasses. Careful consideration is required. Choose sunglasses that complement and draw attention to your face’s best features. You can’t just throw on a pair of huge sunglasses without first carefully analyzing your facial shape. Find out in 3 simple steps what your face shape is if you are unsure.
Shop the best sunglasses here.
Benefits of Wearing Sunglasses
Glare Reduction
Glare is annoying even in the best of circumstances. It may even be harmful in extreme cases. Research shows that accidents increase when sun angles are best suited to generate glare, especially near intersections. Glare reduction allows you to maintain situational awareness, which can help you avoid harm.
Better Definition
Glare can impair vision even when it poses no immediate danger. Polarized sunglasses allow users to see details more clearly and are widely used by athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. Polarized sunglasses may provide a more true-to-life color experience than regular sunglasses.
Preventing Tiredness
Researchers have shown that exposure to strong sunlight can be tiring. Glare increases visual fatigue because the eyes must focus more intently on deciphering visual cues. When your eyes become weary, sore, or it hurts to keep them open due to overuse, you may be experiencing eye strain.
Difference Between Polarized and Non-Polarized Sunglasses
Because it is a wave, light vibrates as it moves across space. The normal vibration pattern of light involves many different axes. A horizontal surface, such as snow, water, or the top of a car, causes light to vibrate only in a single direction. This transformation is known as polarization. The light is focused on the eye since it is only vibrating in one direction. Glare is the term for intense, focused light.
Lenses Without Polarization
Sunglasses polarized or otherwise, are intended to lessen the impact of direct sunlight. Lenses with UV protection typically include added dyes and pigments that soak up light before they can damage your eyes.
However, regardless of the orientation of the light’s vibrations, this technology will function properly with any form of sunshine. Thus, glare will still affect your vision because it is more intense than other light and reaches your eyes.
Bipolar Glasses
Lenses that are polarized have had a chemical coating applied to them. When applied vertically, however, the filter allows vertical light through while blocking horizontal light. Imagine a picket fence with a space of one inch between each slat to help visualize this. If you hold a popsicle stick vertically, you can easily slip it between the slats. However, the popsicle stick becomes too wide to squeeze through the fence’s openings if you turn it on its side. In principle, that’s what polarized glasses do. The filter allows some vertical light through but blocks any glare caused by horizontal light.
Features of Polarized Sunglasses
Sight-improving Benefits of Polarized Lenses
- Improved clarity of vision, especially in direct sunlight.
- Enhanced contrast with barely any color shift.
- Lessening of reflections and glare.
- The diminished strain on the eyes.
As a result of these benefits, polarized lenses are an excellent choice for sunglass frames. Those who spend a lot of time outside will benefit greatly from them because they reduce glare. A polarized lens is available for sunglasses, but not for standard reading glasses since the coating makes the lenses too dark.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. To What Extent Do Mirrored Lenses Compare to Ordinary Lenses in Blocking the Sun?
The decision between mirrored and non-mirrored lenses is solely aesthetic. When it comes to protecting your eyes from the sun, “there is no difference in sun protection between different designs of lenses as long as they are all UV protected,” Dr. Erwin adds. Lenses that block 100% of UV light (either UVA/UVB or UV400) are considered to be appropriate.
2. When Exposed to UV Light, What Risks Can There Be to One’s Eyesight?
In the short and long run, UV radiation can damage your eyes. Keratitis, described by Dr. Erwin as “sunburn of the eye,” is a real risk. Cataracts, retinal degeneration, and ocular malignancies are only some of the long-term effects of prolonged sun exposure. He recommends being picky about the sunglasses you buy for yourself, making sure they are both fashionable and functional.
3. How Often Do You Recommend Polarized Glasses?
In some cases, polarized glasses aren’t the best option. For example, LCD screens give forth polarized light. Do not wear polarized sunglasses if your vehicle’s primary controls are LCDs.
4. Would You Recommend Polarized Lenses?
You won’t get any more protection from the sun with polarized lenses than you would with regular 100% UV ones. But they can improve your eyesight, making it sharper and more precise, and lessening the strain on your eyes.
You should get polarized sunglasses if you still find yourself squinting frequently even while they are on. They could end up being the most convenient choice for you. Avoid getting your eyes damaged by the sun by doing anything you can. When venturing out into the sunlight, always wear sunglasses that provide complete protection from ultraviolet light.
5. Do Polarized Sunglasses Have Any Drawbacks?
When using electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops, the frequent disruption of light generated by the polarized lens can be tiring on the eyes. It’s not a good fit for folks whose jobs need them to be in front of their laptop screens for long periods.
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