Everything you need to know about prescription sunglasses
Good weather and vision problems don't always go hand in hand. When the weather is sunny, the eyes will not tolerate the high intensity of light. For this reason, it is recommended to wear prescription sunglasses. The question is: how do I choose my sunglasses? To help you with your project, this handy guide is provided.
Sunglasses at first sight
Do you have vision problems and the weather is good? You should know that the eyes are not designed for high exposure. At some point, narrowing the eyelids and pulling back the pupils are no longer enough to adequately protect the eyes. This type of problem is very common during the summer season. To solve this problem, prescription sunglasses are offered. These are glasses that can reduce the intensity of light and provide a great vision. Wearing glasses with these glasses therefore gives you optimal protection when you are on the terrace or on the beach. The glasses are available in different shapes and offer the possibility to customize your look according to your wishes.
Be careful, tinted lenses should not be confused with photochromic lenses. These are tinted according to the light intensity they are exposed to.
Why is it important to wear sunglasses?
UV rays from the sun are known to the public for giving skin a beautiful complexion and providing vitamin D. UV rays are therefore beneficial in themselves. On the other hand, too much UV is harmful to the body. Radiation can damage the lens and retina.
Strong UV radiation can lead to various visual problems such as macular degeneration or cataracts. Strong sunlight is usually present in summer, but UV in winter is also a problem and it can create snow ophthalmia. It is recommended to wear glasses with tinted lenses in strong light.
There are many misconceptions about sunglasses and UV rays that need correcting. Most common is the usefulness of shades in sunglasses. Note that the colour of the lenses does not affect the UV protection. Regardless of whether the glass colour is light or dark, the UV protection remains the same.
What level of protection do sunglasses offer?
To protect against light intensity, sunglasses offer different categories of colour tones, which are broken down according to protection index. Each category ranges from category 0 to 4 and offers a different way of filtering the sun's rays.
Category 0 has the lowest protection index. Lenses in this category can filter up to 19% of sunlight. This capacity is small and therefore not very effective for the summer season. Then category 1, which can filter between 20 and 57%, is suitable for reduced sunshine. We are talking about very grey weather or winter. Then there is Category 2 which filters between 58 and 82% and is effective for average sunshine.
Category 3, which filters between 83 and 92% of the sun's brightness, is recommended to ensure excellent protection against radiation and glare. In fact, it is the most popular category of sunglasses on the market. Finally, there is Category 4 which filters up to 97%, which is the strongest sun protection. Due to the filter position, this type of solar glass is not recommended for driving.
Which sunglasses material should I choose?
The choice of sunglasses material is important if you want good UV protection. You should know that the materials have an uneven blocking capacity against different types of UV rays (UVA and UVB). In addition, each material has a so-called "coefficient of reflection" which estimates the percentage of light that the glass can reflect. Sun lenses can be made from various materials, which are divided into two categories: synthetic and mineral. It is recommended that you seek the advice of a specialist (ophthalmologist) in order to select the most suitable glasses for your eyesight and use.
Synthetic glasses
In synthetic glasses we find organic glass and polycarbonate glass. Organic glass, known for its lightness and impact resistance, can block UVA and UVB rays 100%. Polycarbonate glass has the same properties, is lighter and more resistant. This material is recommended for sports activities and for young people (adolescents and children).
Mineral glasses
Mineral lenses are made of silica and offer better protection against scratches compared to synthetic glasses. On the other hand, these glasses are heavier, ie two to three times as high as organic lenses. Very popular in the 1980s, they are rarely used today. In addition, these glasses only stop UVB, UVA needs to be treated.
Treatment option
Note that sunglasses can benefit from a surface treatment to achieve a certain quality. If you want to reduce the reflections of the rays, you can apply anti-reflective treatment. You can also do a mirror treatment to reduce reverberation and glare. Finally, you can get anti-scratch treatment to protect against scratches and rubbing.
What are polarized sun lenses?
Now that you have selected the UV protection category, you should now turn to a question: "Polarized glass or not?".
In bright light, not only are UV rays a problem, but also glare. If you are near a flat, smooth surface such as pavement, water, or snow, polarized light will blind you. To avoid this, polarized glasses are offered. They allow you to read better with the eye in the face of bright reflections.
Nowadays, more and more people are interested in using polarized glasses to avoid the usual glare. This type of lens is mainly used for sports activities. Water sports are the activities that require these goggles the most as the water is highly reflective. There are also winter activities that are hampered by reflective snow. Note that polarized sunglasses are not mandatory on a daily basis. If you want to wear it, Visio-net offers you its collection
Which lens colour to choose for the glasses?
The tint colour of the sunglasses has no special feature to protect against UV rays. However, the choice of colour remains a relevant criterion as it ensures visual comfort. Each colour of glass has its own peculiarity that can be practical in different situations.
In addition, it is also an important aesthetic criterion to create the right look. At Visio-net we offer you a large selection of glass colours that shine in your style.
Neutral tones
Grey colour is the most common choice because it faithfully reproduces colours. If you drive a lot, have single or varifocal lenses, grey sunglasses are recommended. Otherwise there are the brown glasses, which enhance the contrasts and at the same time offer good protection for the eyes. Very popular for myopia.
Lively tones
If your selection is based on the relevance of visibility, the most interesting colours are green, yellow, and orange. Green is very useful for protecting the eyes from glare and reducing visual fatigue. For yellow and orange, they improve the visibility of contrasts. You have a better view in low light or fog, ideal for night driving. If your criteria are mostly based on style, then blue, purple, red, and pink are recommended. On the other hand, these colours are not very practical in terms of protection or visibility. Blue and purple are especially good for moderate sunlight. Red and pink are not suitable for low-light situations.
Which frame for sunglasses?
The choice of frame is often overlooked, but it remains an important criterion in terms of protection and comfort. For use on the beach or in the city, you can opt for classic frames. In these situations there is less need for sun protection. Just make sure that the frame is resistant to the mounting of the sunglasses. However, if you are into mountain sports, it is preferable to use curved frames. This type of frame envelops the face and completely covers the eyes to avoid high-altitude rays.
