Sunglasses make our life easy and comfortable when we go outside, giving us critical protection from the ultra-violate (UV) rays of the sun. If you stay out on a bright sunny day without any protection from the sun's harmful rays, it can damage the surface of your eyes and increase the risk of eye diseases.
Labeling and standards regarding UV protection are not mandatory; instead, it's voluntary. Therefore, when choosing a pair of trendy sunglasses to protect your eyes, it may sometimes be confusing if you don't have any understanding of optical terms for the lenses or know what to look for exactly. You need to consider some essential things when buying sunglasses to ensure you're getting the protection you need.
To make it easy for you, we've covered all the factors you need to consider so you know exactly what look for when buying sunglasses:
Sunglasses are defined as eyewear primarily designed to protect the eyes from the sun and its Ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV rays, or UV radiation is a type of light emitted from the sun. There are three types of UV light, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which are ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC). Prolonged exposure to UV light can be harmful to the eyes, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, including increasing the risk of eye cancers and eye conditions such as cataracts. Sunglasses also serve the purpose of protecting the eyes from glare and elements that may cause harm or irritation such as the wind, sand, snow and dust. In summary, the answer to what are sunglasses is that they are a type of eyewear designed to protect the eyes from UV rays from the sun, glare and other potentially harmful elements.
There are a variety of sunglasses types including tinted sunglasses and polarised sunglasses. Sunglasses can be prescription, meaning they have a person’s prescription on the lenses to help correct vision, or they can have plano lenses, meaning they are non-prescription with no power on the lens.
Yes, sunglasses and polarised glasses can mean the same thing, however not all sunglasses are polarised. Polarised glasses or polarised sunglasses, refer to sunglasses in which the lens is coated with a filter. The filter in polarised glasses helps to reduce glare, which refers to bright light, direct or reflected, that impacts how well a person can see. Glare can occur from surfaces such as roads, water or snow.
The origin of sunglasses is not 100% known, however, early versions of sunglasses are thought to have first emerged as sun goggles, created by Inuit people to protect their eyes from the glare created by snow. According to The US Government’s National Parks Services, James Ayscough, an English optician and designer, is thought to have made the first instance of the modern sunglasses in 1752. Ayscough experimented with tinted lenses as he believed that they may have helped the eyes.
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Sunglasses generally work by covering the lenses of the glasses in a tint, coating or filter that helps to provide a barrier between the eyes and UV rays. The lenses of sunglasses are what protect the eyes from UV rays, and other potentially harmful elements. The lenses of sunglasses vary in make, and can include tinted and polarised lenses. Tinted sunglasses refers to lenses that are covered in a pigmented dye. This dye can include various colours such as grey and yellow. Tinted sunglasses provide limited protection from the sun and its UV rays as well as little to no glare protection. Polarised sunglasses are a type of sunglasses that helps to protect the eyes from UV rays, but also works to limit glare. Polarised sunglasses work by coating the lens with a filter. The filter in polarised lenses helps to reflect glare from various surfaces such as roads, water and snow. Sunglasses will work best if they are on the larger side, or wrap around the eyes, as the bigger the surface area of the lens, the more protection they offer the eyes. Sunglasses also work best if they fit across the nose properly, so there are no gaps where the sun or other elements can interfere with the eyes.
Sunglasses protect the eyes from UV rays by providing a barrier, helping to stop UV rays from hitting the eye and its inner structures directly. Ultraviolet (UV) rays are a type of light that is produced by the sun. UV rays have been proven to have negative effects on the eye particularly if a person is exposing their eyes to this light regularly, for a prolonged period of time. Sunglasses help to protect the eyes from UV rays by limiting how much UV enters the eye.
Sunglasses may have a small amount of natural blue light protection, however, this will be the type of blue light emitted from the sun, not from digital devices. Natural blue light and ultraviolet (UV) light are similar in that both are types of light waves emitted from the sun. The difference between the two is their wavelengths. Blue light is a shorter wavelength than UV light and can be seen by the human eye. Blue light is often found in electronic devices such as computer screens and phone screens. If a person needs glasses that will help limit exposure to digital blue light, there are filters available for this specific purpose. The primary focus of sunglasses is to protect the eye against UV light.
Sunglasses are a hugely important piece of eyewear as they protect the eyes, which are one of the most sensitive parts of the body, playing an important role in how people interact and take in information about the world around them. The answer to why wear sunglasses is that they help to protect the eyes by providing a barrier to a range of potentially harmful elements including wind, dust, snow and sand. Another purpose of sunglasses and why they are also important is that they help to protect the eyes from UV rays or radiation which are emitted from the sun and can harm the eyes after prolonged exposure. According to John Hopkins University, chronically exposing the eyes to UV can harm many of the structures in the eyes and can contribute to the development of eye conditions such as cataracts, non-cancerous growths such as pterygium, pinguecula, skin cancer and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
How to choose sunglasses is dependent upon several factors, including what the sunglasses will be primarily used for, and what your personal preferences are in terms of style. For maximum protection from UV rays, it is recommended by the Cancer Council that people choose sunglasses that adhere to the Australian/New Zealand Standard for sunglasses, meaning that they have a category 2 protection rating or above. Category 2 rating refers to lenses that have good UV protection and good protection against glare. It is also recommended that you wear bigger glasses, so the lens protects more of the eye area, and choose frames such as wrap around frames. If protecting the eyes from glare is one of your goals in purchasing sunglasses, then you may benefit from choosing sunglasses with a polarised lens. You may also choose the frame of your sunglasses based on your personal fashion preferences. Sunglasses come in a range of shapes, styles and colours, including cat-eye style sunglasses and aviator style sunglasses.
The type of lenses used in sunglasses varies but can include tinted lenses, polarised lenses, and photochromic lenses. The actual type of lenses used in sunglasses are generally plano lenses that will have a coating or filter applied to them, depending on their purpose. Though all sunglasses have the main purpose of protecting the eyes from UV rays and other harmful elements, certain lenses such as polarised lenses, also have additional benefits. Polarised lenses are a type of lens that is coated to protect against glare. Photochromic lenses are a type of lens that darkens when exposed to sunlight and are beneficial as they reduce the need for having a separate pair of optical glasses and sunglasses.
Prescription glasses can be used as sunglasses if a filter or coating is applied to the lens. Prescription glasses are a type of glasses that have a prescription or power over the lens. The prescription in glasses is tailored to the individual wearer, depending on their vision needs. Prescription glasses can technically also be sunglasses, if a filter or coating is applied to the lens, like a tint or polarisation. You can also have a photochromic coating added to prescription glasses should one require only one pair of spectacles and avoid having separate pairs of optical glasses and sunglasses.
The best sunglasses for men will be the sunglasses that are best for all people, regardless of gender. The best sunglasses for men are those that meet the Australian/New Zealand Standards for sunglasses and have good UV protection, as well as glare protection, according to the Cancer Council. The best sunglasses for men are also a case of personal style. If a person wants a more neutral or masculine frame, then oval, square, rectangle or aviator-style sunglasses may be a good choice.
The best sunglasses for women are those that meet the Australian/New Zealand Standards for sunglasses, meaning they have good UV protection and good sun glare protection, according to the Cancer Council. The best sunglasses for women are also dependent upon personal style and how someone wants to express themselves. Sunglasses come in many different shapes, sizes and colours. The best sunglasses for women who want a more feminine frame include cat-eye style sunglasses. The best sunglasses for those who want a more neutral frame include rectangle and square-shaped sunglasses.
The best sunglasses for children are those that meet the Australian/New Zealand Standards for sunglasses. According to the Cancer Council, it is important that sunglasses for children adhere to the best standards for sunglasses, not fashion glasses or spectacles, and are not toys. It is also important to make sure that sunglasses fit a child and are comfortable.
Yes, 400 UV protection is good for sunglasses. 400 UV protection means that sunglasses are effective at blocking UV rays up to 400 nanometres (nm) in wavelength. According to the Cancer Council, 400 UV protection is the standard UV protection that must be met by sunglasses under the Australian/New Zealand Standards.
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The cost of sunglasses will be dependent upon where the sunglasses are purchased and what type of sunglasses they are. At Oscar Wylee Australia, our sunglasses start from $169, with add-ons such as polarisation an additional cost on top of this price.
You can buy sunglasses in a range of places, including optical companies like Oscar Wylee, fashion companies, and other retail shops. It is important to note that fashion sunglasses purchased from fashion or retail companies may not meet the Australian/New Zealand Standards. When buying sunglasses, it is important to make sure that the glasses will meet the necessary requirements to provide your eyes with the best possible protection from UV rays, glare and other potentially harmful elements.
Yes, sunglasses are definitely worth purchasing. The eyes are one of the body’s most important organs, helping us to process information from the world around us, so it is crucial that we protect the eyes as much as possible. Sunglasses help protect the eyes from UV rays from the sun as well as other potentially harmful elements such as sand, dust, wind and snow. UV rays have been shown to have negative effects on the eyes after prolonged exposure, including increased risk of cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and eye cancer. Sunglasses are therefore worth purchasing as they help to limit the negative effects of UV rays on the eyes and provide protection from other elements.
Everyone should wear sunglasses as eyes are an important part of the body to protect regardless of age. Adults, teens and kids should all wear sunglasses outside, especially in the sun. There are also certain situations in which it is especially important that people wear sunglasses such as if a person is in or on a body of water, or in snowy environments. According to Piedmont Healthcare services, both water and snow reflect sunlight, meaning not only are people exposed to direct sunlight but also this reflected sunlight, making it important to wear sunglasses if out in these conditions.
The answer to when to wear sunglasses is as simple as whenever you are outside. Whether you are driving, mowing the lawn, playing with the kids or on a walk, it is important to protect your eyes with sunglasses that fit the Australian/New Zealand Standards. The Cancer Council recommends that sunglasses are worn when the UV index is over 3, which in places like Australia, can occur during several and sometimes most months of the year. According to the Cancer Institute NSW, a UV rating of 3 means UV is moderate and can damage unprotected skin.
Whilst sunglasses work to protect the eyes from UV rays, it is not okay to wear them all the time. Sunglasses are not generally needed when inside and may limit vision.
There are many benefits to wearing sunglasses that are designed to protect the eyes and meet Australian/New Zealand standards. The benefits of sunglasses are they help protect the eyes from UV rays, help protect the eyes from potentially harmful elements, may reduce glare, help protect the skin around the eyes and may help to reduce eye strain. The sunglasses benefits are listed below.
Help protect the eyes from UV rays:
Sunglasses help protect the eyes from UV rays, which is one of their biggest benefits. As UV can be harmful to eyes after prolonged exposure, sunglasses can help to reduce the amount of UV that reaches the eyes.Help protect the eyes from potentially harmful elements:
Sunglasses work to provide some protection from potentially harmful elements such as wind, sand, snow and dust, as they provide a barrier between these elements and the eyes.May reduce glare:
Some sunglasses, such as polarised sunglasses, are designed to help reduce glare, which can help protect the eyes and limit vision disruption.Help protect the skin around the eyes:
Sunglasses may help protect the delicate skin around the eyes if they are bigger in size or are wrap around glasses.May help reduce eye strain:
Sunglasses may help to reduce eye strain as the eyes will not have to squint against the sun as much, or struggle to see through glare or bright light when sunglasses are being worn.There are not many, if any disadvantages to wearing sunglasses, particularly those that have met the Australian/New Zealand Standards for sunglasses, as sunglasses meeting these requirements should provide good protection from UV and glare. The answer to are sunglasses good for your eyes is generally yes, however, there are some sunglasses available on the market that do not protect the eyes against UV, and have been made for aesthetic or fashion purposes. It is important that you check that your sunglasses meet the required standards for protecting the eyes.
Cheap sunglasses can potentially be bad for your eyes as they may not provide adequate protection from UV rays. UV rays refer to ultraviolet radiation that is omitted from the sun. If the eyes are exposed to UV radiation for an extended period of time, there may be negative effects such as cataracts, eye cancers and growths on the eye, according to the American academy of Ophthalmology. Sunglasses are designed to protect the eyes from UV rays, however not all sunglasses provide the same level of protection. Cheaper sunglasses that are built for mostly fashion purposes, may not provide the same level of protection from UV rays as sunglasses made by optical brands, which may affect the eyes in the long run. A person should always check that their sunglasses meet the Australian Standards for sunglasses protection.