Sunglasses were invented in China centuries ago and came to Europe with Marco Polo. Initially, they were used to hide one's eyes and thoughts. In the mid-1700s, they began to be used as eye protection and, in the early 20th Century, they really began to take off in popularity withsun-struck beachgoers. In the decades that followed, sunglasses became, like any clothing or accessories, a fashion statement. In the 21st Century, both protection and style are equally important. This sunglasses buying guide contains basic information to help you wade through the available options, so you can choose the sunglasses that work best for you.
Designer sunglasses feature the trendiest styles and the highest quality. So-called fashion sunglasses also feature designer styling, but without the name brand sunglasses price. Sport sunglasses can be very stylish, but their primary purpose is eye protection, and form follows function. As far as fashion is concerned, there are just two important questions: Do you like them? Do they compliment your face? If so, they are the right sunglasses for you.
Though many men are into brand name sunglasses and designer sunglasses, fact is that women tend to care more about clothing accessories and fashion. So, while the following guidelines refer primarily to women's sunglasses, rest assured, gentlemen, we include a few pointers for you.
You can, of course, wear whatever sunglasses you like, regardless of what anyone else thinks. However, to achieve the best fashion appearance, specific sunglasses styles work best with the five basic face shapes. The desired effect is balance -- wear sunglasses that your face is suitable to.
Square
The square face (in men, usually described as strong-jawed) was epitomized by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in the 1960s. Wearing oversized sunglasses, she popularized a style (now often called the Jackie O) which remains in vogue. For women's sunglasses, the curvier styles, round or cat's eye, will compliment your angular features. Gentlemen usually want a more strong-jawed appearance than less, so enhance the effect by wearing sunglasses with sharp angles.
Triangle
The heart-shaped face (in men, triangular) has a wide forehead and narrow chin. Choose sunglasses with cat's eye frames or any with well-rounded edges; fashion sunglasses with a wider lower edge and no straight lines along the top work especially well.
Oblong
The long or oblong face also calls for oversized sunglasses. Round or rectangular lenses and sunglasses with thick frames add width; tall or deep lenses and fashion sunglasses with decorative frames or vintage style also fit.
Round
The round face has the most noticeable curves, so the sunglasses should have fewest. Sunglasses with narrow frames, frames with high temples and very colorful frames, like classic tortoiseshell sunglasses, also add definition.
Oval
The oval face has gently rounded curves that work with virtually any style from sport sunglasses to designer sunglasses, those that look best are sun glasses which cover from the eyebrows to the cheekbones.
The first real aviator sunglasses were an accident. The 'aviator' style was created for the military just prior to World War II. Today's aviator sunglasses make great men's accessories and women's accessories for almost any face.
Regardless of style, sunglasses should protect your vision. Recent scientific advancements have greatly expanded understanding of the eye, creating materials to defend them.
The bright light of a cloudless day can be painful and distracting, so most people wear sunglasses when outside, especially while driving. At the other end of the spectrum, fog and smoke decrease visibility. The amber-colored lenses of recent decades filter out the additional blue light scattered by low-lying clouds, giving drivers a more balanced, clearer view of the road. Polarized sunglasses help cut down the glare of reflected light.
Ultra-violet radiation (known as UVA and UVB) has been shown to be a contributing factor for cataracts and many other eye problems. Look for UV-rated sunglasses, which block at least 70-percent of UVA and 60-percent of UVB light. Some sunglasses claim to block 100-percent of both.
The other main danger is impact damage. Flying debris ranges from annoying (specks of dust) to sight-threatening (pebbles kicked up by passing cars). The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private organization dedicated to producing quality goods in the USA. For sunglasses, ANSI requirements include dropping a 1-inch steel ball on the lens from four feet high and shooting a quarter-inch ball at 150 feet per second. If no part of the lens touches the eye when impacted, the glasses pass the test and may advertise themselves as ANSI compliant. This is especially useful in sport eyewear.
Sunglasses are one item where the highest price doesn't always mean the best product. Some designer glasses may not include the safety features that your eyes deserve. Of course, at cheaponlineglasses.com, discount sunglasses and designer sunglasses can be synonymous.
By the way, when buying sunglasses online, you may find that so-called sunglasses, allegedly from top designers, are, in fact, cheap knock-offs instead of the real deal. If so, the chances of a refund are pretty slim, so buy from a reputable dealer like cheaponlinesunglasses.com, one with a long history of selling authentic, quality products.
Basically, sunglasses are made from two components: the lenses and the frames.
Frames can be nothing more than thin metal wires that just surround the lenses, or they can be large plastic casings that cover much of the face. Most frames are basically flat, so they can be folded into a pocket, but some prefer the wrap-around styles that fit snugly against the head, entirely enclosing the eyes in shadow.
Lenses come in almost every color of the spectrum. Polycarbonate lenses are especially valuable when working in hazardous environments, as they are darn near indestructible.
Bridge: The part of sunglasses that extends across the nose.
Cat's eye: Most common in women's sunglasses; lenses which are wider in the middle than on either side; with a greater curve on the bottom than the top.
Clip-on: Sunglasses that attach to prescription glasses with a mechanical or magnetic clip.
Impact resistant (also protective
Polarized sunglasses: With a filter between the front and back surface of the lens, horizontally reflected glare is much reduced; very useful near water, snow, ice, glass etc.
Temple: The arm of the sunglasses, running from the ear to the lens frame.
Wrap-arounds: The lenses curve around the head or the temple is about as tall as the lenses; they eliminate peripheral vision but add extra sun protection.
Higher end sunglasses usually come with a case and a cleaning cloth. Don't throw them away even if they seem unimportant. The case will protect your new glasses far better than your pocket. The cleaning cloth will clear the sweat and dust off your lenses with the least probability of scratching them. You can also look for lens cleaning solution or wipes that will make your lenses spotless and streak free.
1. If the sun doesn't bother my eyes, do I still need to wear sunglasses?
Yes. The sun has damaging UV rays that can cause photokeratitis, pingueculae, and permanent retinal damage.
2. What exactly are UV rayss?
Ultraviolet (UV) rays are located just past the violet portion of the visible light spectrum; sunlight is the main source. UV light is broken into three different types: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA has longer wavelengths and passes through glass easily; experts disagree about whether or not UVA damages the eyes. UVB rays are the most dangerous, making sunglasses and sunscreen a must; they don't go through glass. UVC rays do not reach the Earth because its atmosphere blocks them.
3. When do UV rays affect my eyes?
Most people think that they're only at risk when they're outside on a sunny day, but UV light can go right through clouds, so it doesn't matter if the sky is overcast. The sun's rays are strongest between 10 am and 2 pm.
Glare and reflections can give you trouble, so have your sunglasses ready if you'll be around snow, water or sand, or if you'll be driving (windshields are a big glare source).
The following put you at additional risk: sunlamps, tanning beds and parlors, photosensitizing drugs, and living at high altitudes or near the equator.
4. Can certain medical problems increase my risk for damage from UV rays?
Yes. People with cataracts (or who've had cataract surgery), macular degeneration, and retinal dystrophies should be extra careful. Read more about these conditions in our Eye Problems and Diseases section. 5. What are my options to prevent damage to my eyes?
You must wear sunglasses to prevent damage to your eyes. While some contact lenses provide UV protection, they don't cover your whole eye, so you still need sunglasses.
Look for sunglasses that protect you from 99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB light. This includes those labeled as "UV 400," which blocks all light rays with wavelengths up to 400 nanometers. (This covers all of UVA and UVB rays.)
Also, you may want to consider wraparound sunglasses to prevent harmful UV rays from entering around the frame. 6. What are the different kinds of lenses that are available?
With so many lenses available, it is difficult to find ones that will protect your eyes if you don't know what each one will do.
Blue-blockers block blue light and usually have amber lenses. Researchers are still unsure whether or not blue light is harmful, but these are popular among skiers, hunters, boaters, and pilots.
Both polarized lenses and anti-reflective coating cut reflected glare. Polarized lenses in particular are popular with those who play water and snow sports. Read more about polarized lenses and anti-reflective coating.
Mirror-coated lenses limit the amount of light entering your eyes, so you're more comfortable.
Gradient lenses are tinted from the top down, so that the top of the lens is darkest; they're good for driving. Double gradient refers to lenses that are also tinted from the bottom up: the top and bottom are darkest and the middle is clear (or close to it); double gradients are not very useful for driving, because they make it difficult to see the dashboard.
Photochromic lenses adjust their level of darkness based on the amount of UV light they're exposed to. Read more about photochromic lenses.
7. What about sunglasses blocking infrared rays?
Infrared rays are located just past the red portion of the visible light spectrum. While some experts believe that infrared light can be harmful in certain situations (such as being near large bodies of water or at high altitudes), most feel that the sun's infrared rays do not pose a danger to the eyes.
8. Which lens color is the best?
Color is a personal choice and doesn't affect how well the lenses protect your eyes from UV light. Gray and brown are popular because they distort colors the least. Athletes may choose other tints for their color-enhancing properties; for example, yellow lenses are popular with skiers and target shooters because they work well in low light, reduce haze, and increase contrast for a sharper image.
Read more about lens color. 9. Are impact-resistant lenses necessary?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires all sunglasses to be impact-resistant. However, those who play sports or wear sunglasses on the job might want to consider ultra-impact-resistant polycarbonate.
Read more about polycarbonate.
10. Do I still need those "UV Protective" sunglasses if my lenses are real dark?
Yes! Most people believe that the darkness of the lens is what protects their eyes. The degree of darkness has no effect on UV rays. For adequate protection, you need to buy sunglasses that indicate they block 100% of the sun's UV rays.
11. Are the more expensive sunglasses of better quality?
Not necessarily. While expensive sunglasses are usually high quality, you can also get a good pair for under $20 if you're a careful shopper. Just make sure to check that they provide adequate protection from UV light and are free of distortions.
You can also take them to your eyecare professional to have the lenses metered to determine the amount of UV that passes through the lenses. That way you can be sure that you are getting the most from your sunglasses.
12. Children don't need sunglasses, do they?
Children are at particular risk because they're in the sun much more than adults, and their eyes are more sensitive as well. UV damage is cumulative over a person's lifetime, which means you should begin protecting your child's eyes as soon as possible.
Most parents would not allow their children to go outside without shoes, yet many seem unaware of the need to protect their children's eyes.
Read more about children's sunglasses.
13. I wear glasses. What options are available to me?
You can buy prescription sunglasses or glasses with photochromic lenses (which change from clear to dark) from your eye care practitioner. Clip-ons are a less expensive option, and can be bought at the same time as your regular eyeglasses to perfectly match the frames. Magnetic attachments may also be available. Read more about prescription sunglasses and photochromic lenses.
14. Do those sunglasses for specific sports really make a difference?
Yes. Sports eyewear in general tends to be safer than regular sunglasses because the lenses and frames are made of special materials that are unlikely to shatter if struck and can give you the benefits of both sunglasses and protective eyewear. Also, certain lens colors can enhance your vision for certain sports; brown, for example, is popular with golfers because it provides nice contrast on those very green golf courses.
15.What is MP3 sunglasses and what make them different?
Generally MP3 Sunglasses are the conbination of normal sunglasses with built-in mp3 playger, the junction of fashion accessory with digital music art.
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