Rund Abdelfatah
WITH the summer in full swing, it is time to put on your shades and enjoy the sunshine.
But while you may know your Ray Bans from your Oakleys, there are plenty of other things to consider when picking your ideal pair of sunglasses.
Unprotected exposure to sunlight can cause significant damage to the eyes and over time can contribute to cataracts, cancer of the eyelids and the skin around the eyes, and macular degeneration which is the leading cause of blindness in the UK.
This is why sunglasses are so important, but while it is now possible to buy the latest trends for just a few euros, not all sunglasses are good for you.
In fact some cheap sunglasses could actually be causing more harm than good.
So here we offer you some top tips for buying sunglasses so you can look good and stay safe at the same time.
- Look for the UV rating. The main causes of damage to your eyes are the UV rays and whether it is on a small sticker on the lenses or on a small tag attached to the frame, you should always look for 100 per cent UV protection.
- Consider the frames. In this case bigger is better. Always look for ones that cover more of the face around the eyes as smaller glasses allow light to flood in at the top and sides. The best designs for protection are the wraparound ones.
- Don’t go by the colour. The colour of the lens, even if really dark, has no bearing on the UV protection. The outer coating (which is clear) filters out the UV rays and darker colours can actually fool your eye into opening up more and letting in more harmful rays.
- Price is not important. Sometimes the higher price just means you are getting more expensive frames not more protection. The most important thing is the UV rating.
