Important Buying Tips
It is important to realize when choosing sunglasses, that the primary objective is proper sun protection for your eyes.
Features such as broad spectrum protection, lens color, frame shape and fit are all important to properly benefiting from their protection. Also, you can determine whether you could benefit from sunglasses with polarized lenses.

Protect your eyes!
Your eyes need protection from ultra violet light. There are damage risks for eyes such as cataracts, degeneration of the retina, and even sunburn. The eye area skin is exceptionally delicate and can also suffer burn and irritation.

Protect Your Kids' eyes too...Even more vulnerable than adult eyes, are children's eyes. Children up to fourteen years of age, are three times as vulnerable to UV ray damage. Make sure they have proper sun protection daily, including sunglasses. * Sunglasses, in addition to minimum SPF 15, long sleeves and a wide brimmed hat, are a recommended sun protection by the American Dermatology Association.

Here are some tips on choosing sunglasses:

Sunglasses do need are a number of specific sun protection features to maximize your eyes' protection.

According to the American Optometry Association, sunglasses need to:

1 Block out 99-100 percent of UVA/ UVB radiation.
Tip- Look for label identifying UV protection

2 Screen out *75-90 percent of visible light (*fashion tinted lenses usually do not meet this level).

3 Be perfectly matched in color and free of distortion and imperfection.
Tip- Test lenses for distortion/ imperfections by viewing a straight edge at arms length. You should continue to see a straight edge without any curve or distortion.

4 Have lenses that are gray, green, or brown (gray is recommended).
Tip- these cut the glare without trading off good vision


Sunglasses should also cover the eye area.

Even better, they should wrap around the eye area and hug the face, preventing UV light from entering the eye area from above, beside, and below.

Why?

From personal experience, Oakley sunglasses cover and protect the eye area well with their wrap around frame style. Oakley Jackets are light, hug the face and stay in place when you're on the move. Because the frame style wraps around your eye area, you do not get glare cutting in from the top, sides or bottom. In addition, I have experienced excellent customer service over the years (I have managed to hold on to my original pair since 1996). (Oh yeah, and I guess I think they are pretty cool looking... ) Shown above is the style "Minute" from the Jacket Collection and it comes in a huge selection of frame and lens options.

Do you need polarized sunglasses (and what are they anyway)?

Polarized sunglasses dramatically cut glare. They have lenses with vertically oriented polarizers that act to cut the horizontally polarized glare that comes off long, flat reflective surfaces i.e.. water, road, car hood. (resource allaboutvision.com)

If you are someone who could really benefit from wearing polarized sunglasses, spend a lot of time on the water, on the road etc., consider this high quality product line that specializes in water sports. H2Optix Polarized Sunglasses include these features;

Tough, lightweight polarized polycarbonate lenses eliminate glare give let you see both on and beneath the water's surface.

Protect against UV light, are scratch resistant and have a unique waterproofing agent that disperses water to reduce spotting.

Impact-resistant Grilamidฎ frames weigh less than an ounce, give you a comfortable fit and feel, while the megol rubber nose pads and temple tips keep them in place even in wet environments.

All H2Optix sunglasses come with a Neoprene Protective Case and floating buoy Neck Strap.

If you love look of designer sunglasses, there are many very stylish yet protectively sound, high quality sunglasses.

Fashion and Function Bonus: Wrap around feature also happens to be in style...There are some gorgeous designer sunglasses combining function and fashion by Gucci, Christian Dior, and Burberry (left to right below).

If you aren't interested in designer sunglasses for reasons such as high personal incidence of misplacement (read, you lose and replace your sunglasses regularly)... and therefore, more money than you want to spend monthly, consider an expensive option with good UVA/UVB protection. These Women's Sunglasses also come with a one year warranty.

Don't forget, sun protection includes the application of proper SPF broad spectrum sunscreen (shielding both UVA and UVB rays), PLUS wearing protective clothing, AND UVA/UVB lens filter sunglasses.