Whenever I think of sunglasses, I always remember that “one hit wonder” from back in the eighties by a band called Timbuk3, “The Future's So Bright," and Corey Hart's famous song "Sunglasses at Night" (also appropriately from the 1980s). Nowadays, buying a new pair of shades is not only about looking cool (and wearing your sunglasses at night), but also about making an investment in your vision and finding the pair that’s just right for you.
You don’t just want to buy any old pair of sunglasses. You want to purchase a pair that block up to 99% of the UV rays that can harm your eyes from too much exposure. You often hear that term, but it's more important than you may think. Protecting your eyes can diminish the chances of developing major vision problems later in life, like macular degeneration.
When I was a teenager, Ray-Ban sunglasses were all the rage and while they’re still available today, there’s literally hundreds (maybe even thousands) of other brand names to choose from. And what about polarized lenses versus traditionally tinted ones, what’s the difference?
The Truth About Polarized Lenses
Some people think that polarized lenses offer greater protection against UV rays, but the truth is that normal UV protection sunglasses and polarized sunglasses usually both offer UVA and UVB protection. Polarized lenses offer a different type of defense. Simply put, regular sunglasses are designed to block out direct light, while polarized lenses shield against indirect light, especially that reflected from surfaces like water, snow and metal
This would obviously make a difference for someone who worked on a boat or at a ski lodge. But there’s also some drawbacks to these lenses. First and foremost, they tend to be more expensive. These types of lenses can also make it difficult to view certain types of electronic screens, such as computers, tablets, or a TV. With that said, if you're playing an outdoor sport, the polarized lens can be a great accessory for clear vision. Continue reading
