• How to Choose the Best Sunglasses

    Written by:
    May. 01, 2015

    Six Things to Consider

    Everyone knows sunglasses make it easier to see on a sunny day, whether out on the road or the water. However, wearing the right sunglasses is also a great defense against ultraviolet (UV) rays that can cause short- and long-term eye damage, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

    These are the most important factors to consider when purchasing sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun:

    1. Make it 100 percent.

    Women in sunglasses

    The single most important thing to look for when buying sunglasses to protect your eyes is a sticker or tag indicating that they block 100 percent of UV rays. However, fewer than half of people buying sunglasses bother to check whether the lenses protect the eyes from ultraviolet light, according to the Academy's 2014 national sun safety survey.

    2. Bigger is better.

    Young woman in oversize glasses


    3. Darker lenses don't protect better.

    Sunglasses on the beach


    4. Color doesn't matter.

    Lady in pink sunglasses


    5. Polarized lenses cut glare, not UV.

    Couple driving in sunglasses


    6. Cost shouldn't be a factor.

    Piggy bank on the beach with sunglasses
