| The incorporation of sunglasses into contemporary | | | | As a result, it is extremely important that shoppers not |
| pop culture has brought the fashion aspect of glasses | | | | just look for the most popular sunglasses on the |
| to full throttle. Individuals purchasing sunglasses today | | | | market, but rather are also cognizant of some |
| look first to style and only second to functionality. And | | | | important characteristics that all good sunglasses |
| while the 'coolness' of sunglasses is certainly vastly | | | | should have. If the functional purpose of sunglasses is |
| better today than the rigid frames of just a couple of | | | | to protect against UV exposure, then the most |
| decades ago, the emphasis on style threatens to | | | | important characteristic glasses should have is a UV |
| undermine the most important characteristic of | | | | coating. While the plastic or glass from which the |
| sunglasses: protecting your eyes. | | | | actual sunglass is made will block some of the UV |
| Acute eye damage does not affect just those that | | | | rays, buyers should look for those glasses which block |
| spend hours outside day in and day out. In fact, just a | | | | 400nm rays, as this effectively means that they block |
| single outing in the bright sun can cause severe sun | | | | all rays. Another important consideration is how much |
| damage. This is because of direct exposure to | | | | coverage the glasses offer. Even if the glasses that |
| ultraviolet radiation. Ultraviolet radiation is a component | | | | you purchase protect up to 400nm, if they are not |
| of the light emitted from the sun which damages our | | | | large enough to effectively block out unfiltered light |
| eyes. While our eyes are usually able to cope with a | | | | from reaching your eyes, they are not effective. |
| few short term episodes of damage through intense | | | | While the fashion aspects of sunglasses are certainly |
| UV exposure, exposure to repeated intense cycles | | | | important, these concerns should be viewed as |
| has been linked to long term vision damage. That | | | | secondary to the primary purpose of sunglasses, |
| means that individuals that go snow skiing just a few | | | | which is to protect your eyes. In shopping for your pair |
| times without sunglasses can get permanent damage. | | | | of sunglasses, be aware that you are purchasing |
| While less common, those that simply spend one day | | | | something which will not merely make you 'look good', |
| a month outside, particularly between the hours of 10 | | | | but also help you 'see good', for years to come. |
| and 2, can develop permanent vision problems. | | | | |