Almost any day is a good day for sunglasses in Singapore which is almost always sun-bathing in the tropical sunlight. Not only do the wearers look cool, they also help prevent those little crow—feet at the corners of your eyes caused by too much squinting of the eyes. More importantly, these glasses protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Prolonged excessive exposure to UV light can cause cataracts and other vision discomfort and problems.
A good pair of sunglasses can last many years if you are not fussy about fashion. So, it is important that you pick the right pair, especially one that is effective in blocking out the UV rays. Here are some factors to consider:
100% blockage of UVA and UVB rays
Check the label or consult the optometrist. Sunglasses offering 100% UV protection need not be expensive, if you’re not particular about brands, lens quality or stylish frames. You can test whether a pair of sunglasses offers 100% UV protection by taking it to get tested at the optometrist, and you definitely should do this for brands of sunglasses that you’re not familiar with.
A good fit / size
Choose a pair that feels snug on your face and doesn’t keep slipping down your nose bridge. Large lenses offer greater coverage. Wrap around frames come highly recommended as they reduce the amount of UV rays entering your eyes from the side. The fashion aficionados would have it that if you wear frames that suit your face. So check out if you have an oval, round, heart-shaped or square shaped face. Check out the websites for what frame types suit your face.
Colour and darkness do not affect UV protection
The amount of UV protection isn’t determined by how dark the lenses are. Again, it boils down to what’s on the label. In fact, darkened lenses with no proper UV protection can cause the pupil to open up to let in more light, which means that more UV rays will enter the eyes.
Polarised lenses do not offer
UV protection These lenses only reduce glare coming off from reflective surfaces, such as the snow and water. While they make activities like water sports, winter sports and driving more comfort— able and safe, to get the best of both worlds, you will need polarised sunglasses with 100% UV protection.
Type of lenses
There are many different types of lenses with different functions. Some are shatter-proof, scratch-resistant, come with blue ray protection (also known as computer glass) etc. None of these factors have any impact on UV ray protection. But if you wish to invest in a pair of sunglasses for long-term use, you might as well choose an every-occasion one. These days, many types of functions can be fused into the lenses, so it is a good idea to talk with an optometrist about your needs and lifestyle so that he/she can prescribe some suitable lenses.
If you require glasses to see clearly, you would want to consider photochromic lenses with a prescription, popularly known as transition lenses, which stay clear indoors but darken and activate their UV protection properties when outdoors.
– This article first appeared in a lifestyle magazine.
Image: Pixabay
