All About Sunglasses

With summer now in full swing, our sunglasses are our best allies for all those days spent at the beach or on the terrace. These items are both a fashion accessory and a sun protector. They are always with us. But when it comes time to buy them, are we really making an informed choice? To get effective protection, several important factors come into play.

Choosing the Right Tint…

The first step in choosing a sunglass lens is determining how much light you want to let through. Indeed, there are four categories to classify lens light absorption (1 being the least absorbent and 4 the most). Category 3, which absorbs between 82% and 92% of visible light, is the last allowed for driving. It is therefore forbidden to drive with a category 4 tint, as its absorption of about 95% of visible light can be dangerous.

And Adding Some Color!

Besides tint saturation, you can choose the color. In addition to meeting aesthetic preferences, each color has its own characteristics and can improve vision.

Neutral Tones

Brown is the most common tint due to its neutrality. It enhances contrast, unlike gray, which better preserves natural colors.

Vibrant Tones

If you prefer more color, you can choose green, which reduces eye fatigue, or yellow and orange, ideal for night driving. Blue and pink are mainly aesthetic choices. Ask your optician for advice on what is best for your visual needs.

The Importance of UV Protection

It is important to clarify here: the darkness of a lens has absolutely nothing to do with its UV protection. Even the darkest lens won’t guarantee UV protection. We will explain further below.

UV: Friend or Foe?

Why protect ourselves from these rays, which provide daily vitamin D and a nice tan? Simple! As the saying goes, “Too much is like not enough.” Overexposure to solar radiation, rich in UV and classified as carcinogenic, can cause various health issues.

Eye Risks

Excessive UV exposure can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration, and in extreme cases, eye cancers. UV exposure in winter, reflected off snow, can also cause “snow blindness.”

Choosing the Right Protection

UV protection, as mentioned above, has nothing to do with the darkness of the lenses. It is the lens material that determines if your eyes are properly protected. A lens with a refractive index of 1.6 or higher blocks 100% of UV rays. At 1.5, only 95% of rays are blocked. Beware of “fashion” sunglasses sold cheaply in various stores, as despite their dark tint, low-quality materials make them ineffective against UV radiation.

Polarized or Not?

Once the lens quality and UV protection are ensured, an important choice remains: polarized or not?

A Brief Explanation

Polarized light is the type that causes glare because it vibrates only on a horizontal axis when reflected off a flat surface. A polarized lens eliminates this, reducing reflections from smooth surfaces like water, roads, or snow, allowing better visual clarity.

When Is It Useful?

Polarized lenses are most useful for water activities. They reduce glare from reflected light, reducing eye strain and improving visual acuity. They are also popular among mountain sports enthusiasts, especially in winter when snow reflects strongly.

Everyday Use

Beyond athletes, polarized sunglasses can benefit everyone. Many people are choosing this option for quality and visual comfort. Ask your optician if it would be helpful for you.

Prescription Sunglasses

Finally, you can add your prescription to sunglasses if desired. This is especially useful if you spend a lot of time outdoors or while driving. All prescriptions can be accommodated, but remember to consider the points above for optimal vision.

Alternatives

If you already wear glasses and don’t want to buy prescription sunglasses, there are less expensive alternatives, though less effective or stylish.

Clip-On Sunglasses

The first option is a clip-on, custom-made to fit your frame. Available in various tints, convenient but not ideal for sports because it is removable.

Cocoon

The second option is mainly for people wanting sun protection while driving. The cocoon is essentially a shell that fits over your glasses. Not very stylish but practical.

Photochromic Lenses

Finally, for those wanting just one pair of glasses, photochromic lenses (like HOYA Sensity or transitions) are an interesting option. These lenses react to UV rays and darken in sunlight. Even on cloudy days, UV exposure can activate the tint.

With all these points in mind, it’s easy to choose sunglasses suited to your needs. Just add a stylish frame, and your eyes will be both protected and fashionable throughout the season!