How to Pick Good Sunglasses

Sure, “cool” is part of it. Everyone needs a little cool now and then.

But slipping on your favorite pair of shades before you go outside -- every time you go outside -- is more than just a nice look. It’s critical for a lot of reasons.

You'll ward off those little wrinkles at the corners of your eyes caused by too much time in the sun. You'll keep the whites of your eyes from getting all red and nasty. And you'll block the sun's eyeball-burning ultraviolet (UV) light.

So grab those sunglasses before you head for the beach, or the park, or anywhere outside. Grab them whether it’s bright or cloudy. And buy some for the kids in your life, too.

Here's how to pick shades that look good and protect your peepers.

UV Protection

The sun gives off UV radiation that you can’t see or feel. In small doses, it can boost vitamin D. But too much of it can cause problems like sunburns and skin cancer. It can also damage your eyes.

So before you even think about buying a pair of sunglasses, read the label. Does it say they block 100% of UVA and UVB rays? If not, don’t buy them.

Too much UV light can cause cataracts. It can also destroy the retina, the lining at the back of your eyes that helps you see clearly. It could even cause tissue to grow over your eyeball.

“UV light can cause changes to cells that can lead to the development ofskin cancers,” Bishop says. “In the eye, even if you’re spared the worst result ... the elastic fibers [the sclera, on the eye surface] thicken and lump up. That’s not cancer. But that can cause significant discomfort that is very real.”

Fit

An ill-fitting pair of sunglasses can let UV rays seep onto your skin and into your eyes.

“I look at something that fits the face well,” says optometrist Fraser Horn, OD. “I don’t want it up touching the eyelashes, but I also don’t want it pushed way out. And I want something that lines up with your brow.”

Sunglasses that wrap around your eyes can help block stray UV light. It can also keep out sand and allergens. Those things aren’t good for your eyes, either.

Polarized Lenses

These reduce glare at the beach, in the snow, or out on the water. But polarized lenses don’t take the place of UV protection.

Many people see more clearly through them. But they can make it harder to see things like some screens on computers, smartphones, or dashboards.

Darkness and Color

Just because a lens is almost black doesn’t mean it’s blocking UV light. So again, read that label.

The pupil, the black dot at the center of your eye, controls how much light gets into the back of your eye. When you wear darkened lenses, the pupil opens more to let in more light. If your sunglasses aren’t rated to block UV rays, you could be letting more UV light into the back of your eye.

Lenses

What’s best: Shatterproof glass? Plastic? Some new-fangled polycarbonate material? Again, it’s a matter of personal taste. How well they help you see matters a lot, too. With some lenses, especially the more curved ones, you can get some distortion. But that’s not always the case.

“If you’re stopping by the gas station on the way to the lake to pick up sunglasses, you’re more likely to have something of lesser quality,” Horn says. “But something that’s more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean that it has great image quality.”

Sunglasses for All

When you’re picking out your new shades, remember this: Get some for the kids you know. And be sure they wear them, sunny or not.

A 2014 survey by the American Academy of Ophthalmology found that only 32% of parents make their kids wear sunglasses that are rated to block UV light.

“Whenever you’re thinking, ‘Hmmm, I should be using sunscreen,’ you should be wearing sunglasses,” too, Bishop says. “As a parent, you should be aware that [kids] start accumulating that sun damage just as soon as there’s exposure. Kids wearing sunglasses is an important thing.”

Plus, it's a pretty cool look.

Choosing the Best Sunglasses for Your Face Shape

Picking out the ideal sunglasses for your face shape isn’t as easy as you might think. There are frames that work to set off your killer features, and there are frames that … don’t. So how do you know which ones are right for you? First, you’ll need to figure out whether your face is round, oval, heart, or square. Having trouble deciding? Our easy-to-use guide will help you find the right fit. Trust us: You’ll find your perfect pair in no time!

​You can always contact our customer service team over the phone on +6019 2877 766 or email your enquries to info@vfocusvisiononline.com.my, and they’ll be happy to assist you. Kindly visit our website vfocusvisiononline.com.my to check our available retail store.