In order to choose the best
sunglasses for your
individual needs it requires an understanding that sunglasses need to become
more than just a fashion statement. “When patients visit us to choose
sunglasses we make sure that they look great-but also provide the appropriate
eye protection against the damaging UV rays of
the sun,” shared Philip
Borker of The Eye Care &
Surgery Center.
It's
important for you to know what types of light you need to protect your eyes
from and what types of light are not necessarily harmful. Here are some tips
for picking the right pair of nonprescription
sunglasses.
- Choose Sunglasses that Block 99% of Ultraviolet (UV) Rays. This is the most important feature of your sunglasses, and you should always choose sunglasses that provide this protection. Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight is linked to eye disease, including cataracts. Some manufacturers' labels say UV absorption up to 400nm. This is the same thing as 100 percent UV absorption. Some glasses make additional claims for blocking infrared rays, but research has not shown a close connection between infrared rays and eye disease.
- Don't Rely on the Price. Many types of affordable sunglasses offer 99 to 100% UV protection, so you don't necessarily need to spend a lot of money on a pair of sunglasses.
- Do Rely on the Quality. In addition to UV protection, you also want to check the optical quality of the lenses. You can easily test the quality of sunglasses by looking at something with a rectangular pattern, such as a floor tile. Hold the glasses at a comfortable distance and cover one eye. Move the glasses slowly from side to side, then up and down. If the lines stay straight, the lenses are fine. If the lines wiggle, especially in the center of the lens, try another pair.
- Look for Impact-Resistant Lenses. All sunglasses must meet impact standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety. No lens is truly unbreakable, but plastic lenses are less likely to shatter when hit by a ball or stone. Polycarbonate plastics, used in many sports sunglasses, are especially strong, but scratch easily. If you buy polycarbonate lenses, choose ones with a scratch-resistant coating.
- Use Protective Eyewear NOT Sunglasses for Hazardous Activities. If you are going to be engaged in outdoor activities like water or snow skiing that put your eye at risk for injury, don't count on your eyeglasses for protection. Protective eyewear is available with UV protection to shield your eyes from sunburn and glare.
- Lens Color Tinting & Polarization are Personal Preferences. There's no medical reason to recommend one tint of lens over another. Likewise, while polarized lenses work better at deflecting glare, they're not blocking any more harmful UV light than non-polarized lenses.
- Once you have the right sunglasses, make sure you wear them, especially in the summer when UV levels are at least three times higher than in the winter. Also be sure to wear them when participating in winter sports, particularly at high elevations.
If you or someone you know has a
question or would like to learn more about choosing the best sunglasses please
feel free to call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or
facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.
The Eye
Care & Surgery Center is staffed by a team of Board Certified NJ
Ophthalmologists who are subspecialty Fellowship trained New Jersey eye
surgeons, Opticians, technical and administrative
staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, surgery for cataracts, intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction
such as LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of
cornea disease including cornea transplants, diagnosis and treatment of
diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration
(AMD) and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, reconstructive and
cosmetic facial surgery including eyelid surgery and facial and skin
rejuvenation as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses,
eyewear and optical services.
With
locations in Westfield and Warren and Iselin, The Eye Care & Surgery Center
is a leading NJ eye care practice serving the central and northern New Jersey
including Old Bridge, East Brunswick, Sayreville, Milltown, North
Brunswick, Kendall Park, Somerset, Dunellen, Bridgewater, Manville, Bound
Brook, Raritan, Edison, Colonia, Woodbridge, Metuchen, Avenel, Carteret,
Piscataway, Middlesex, Somerville, South Plainfield, North Plainfield, Roselle
Park, Garwood, Clark, Kenilworth, Cranford, Gillette, Berkeley Heights,
Stirling, Scotch Plains, Summit, Chatham, Watchung, Pluckemin, Rahway,
Plainfield, Mountainside, Springfield, New Providence, Basking Ridge,
Bedminster, Bernardsville, Millington, Union, Elizabeth, Linden, Jersey City,
Irvington, Orange, West Orange, Livingston, Short Hills, Florham Park, Madison,
Bloomfield, Montclair, Clifton, Garfield, Wayne, Parsippany, Troy Hills and
Paramus, New Jersey.
