Q: If the sun doesn't bother my eyes, do I still need to wear sunglasses?
A: YES! Despite the fact that the sun is over 93 million miles away, its rays still pose serious risk. The principal danger posed by the sun is in the form of ultraviolet radiation, or for short, UV rays. The sun has damaging UV rays that can cause photokeratitis (a painful eye condition, caused by UV exposure. Its akin to a sunburn of the cornea, and is not usually noticed until several hours after exposure. Symptoms include increased tears and a feeling of gritty pain in the eyes), pingueculae (a benign growth of the conjunctiva, or whites of your eyes), eye cancer and permanent retinal damage.
Q: What exactly are UV rays?
A: Ultraviolet (UV) rays are located just past the violet portion of the visible light spectrum; sunlight is the main source.
UV light is broken into three different types: UVA, UVB and UVC.
- UVA has longer wavelengths and passes through glass easily; experts disagree about whether or not UVA damages the eyes.
- UVB rays are the most dangerous, making sunglasses and sunscreen a must; they don't go through glass.
- UVC rays do not usually reach the Earth because its atmosphere blocks them.
Q: DO I need to wear sunglasses if it’s cloudy outside?
A: YES! Most people think that they're at risk only when they're outside on a sunny day, but UV light can go right through clouds, so it doesn't matter if the sky is overcast, wear your shades. The sun's rays are strongest between 10 am and 2 pm but its good practice to wear your sunglasses anytime your outside during daylight hours.
Q: How do I know if my sunglasses are blocking all the UV rays?
Q: What are “Blue-blocker Sunglasses?”
A: Blue-blockers block blue light by using amber lenses. Some evidence indicates blue light is harmful, and could increase risk of eye damage from diseases such as macular degeneration. Be aware that there is no clinical evidence to support these assumptions for people with normal, healthy eyes. So-called "blue blockers" do not conform to any specific guidelines and are considered by some to be just another marketing scam. Q: What are Photochromic or “Transition” lenses?
A: Photochromic lenses adjust their level of darkness based on the amount of UV light they're exposed to. There are pro’s and con’s to this type of lens which are:
-The main advantage is that they will darken into a sunglass when exposed to U.V. light, thus obviating the need to carry a separate pair of sunglasses for protection against harmful U.V. rays from the sun.
-Another advantage is that they adjust well when moving in and out of dark and sunny areas while outside so these lenses are ideal for cyclists and golfers.
-The main disadvantage of photochromic lenses is they do not adjust immediately. It could take up to two minutes for the lenses to completely change from light to dark or vice versa.
-Another huge disadvantage for some users is that they will not darken when worn inside vehicles with glass that blocks U.V. light.
All Sunstops carry photochromic and transition lens glasses if you are interested in seeing them and how they work.
Q: Do I still need "UV Protective" sunglasses if my lenses are really dark?
A: Yes! Most people believe that the darkness of the lens is what protects their eye which isn’t completely true. The degree of darkness has no effect on UV rays. For adequate protection, you need to buy sunglasses that indicate they block 100 percent of the sun's UV rays. Tint and color are about your choice of how you like to see the world while blocking direct light and some glare.
Q: What lens color should I buy?
Grey is the most popular lens color for general use because you can wear it for simple activities like driving or high-energy outdoor pursuits. Outside colors will remain the truest with grey lenses. Reds will stay red and blues will stay blue. Grey lenses flatten light to help you maintain normal depth perception. Grey lenses are good for everyday, all-purpose wear.
Brown lenses are especially effective at filtering light in hazy, foggy, or low light conditions. Brown lenses improve depth perception and contrast in various light conditions. These are very popular for skiing, boating, and driving and for those who prefer the amber tint.
Rose lenses, like brown, effectively filter light and improve contrast (much like a `haze' filter on a camera). Many people consider rose-colored lenses to be the easiest on their eyes over a long period of time.
When you come into any Sunstop, our eyewear style consultants will help you choose the lens tint that best for you and your lifestyle!
Q: Are cheap sunglasses just as good as the expensive ones?
A: Not necessarily. A pair of sunglasses seems so simple -- it's two pieces of tinted glass or plastic in some sort of plastic or metal frame. How much more straightforward can something get? It turns out that there are many different things you can do with two pieces of glass, and these things can have a big effect on you when you use the lenses. The old saying of, “You get what you pay for” does come to mind.
When you buy a pair of cheap sunglasses, you often give up all of these benefits and can even make things worse. For example, if your sunglasses offer no UV protection, you increase your exposure to UV rays. They may block the direct light, but they do not block the harmful UVA and UVB rays.The cheap sunglasses block some of the light, causing your iris to open to allow more light in, so this lets in more of the UV light as well, increasing the damage UV light can cause to the retina. If your pupils dilate while wearing cheap sunglasses, your eyes will actually absorbing the harmful ray which can perminatly damage your eyes.
The biggest problem with cheap sunglasses is in the way the lenses are made. Inexpensive sunglasses have lenses made of ordinary plastic with a thin tinted coating on them. While the tint color and a similar frame design may make them look like Oakley's or Raybans, the actual lenses are very different. You can get away with a cheap pair of sunglasses for UV protection, but there’s one area where you’re more likely to get what you pay for: lens quality.
If you see a pair of sunglasses that are five dollars, I hate to say it, but they’re probably just not very good lenses. Imperfect lenses can strain your eyes and become uncomfortable to wear, and can also hurt performance in sports or activities that require sharp vision.
When you buy a pair of cheap sunglasses, you often give up all of these benefits and can even make things worse. For example, if your sunglasses offer no UV protection, you increase your exposure to UV rays. They may block the direct light, but they do not block the harmful UVA and UVB rays.The cheap sunglasses block some of the light, causing your iris to open to allow more light in, so this lets in more of the UV light as well, increasing the damage UV light can cause to the retina. If your pupils dilate while wearing cheap sunglasses, your eyes will actually absorbing the harmful ray which can perminatly damage your eyes.
The biggest problem with cheap sunglasses is in the way the lenses are made. Inexpensive sunglasses have lenses made of ordinary plastic with a thin tinted coating on them. While the tint color and a similar frame design may make them look like Oakley's or Raybans, the actual lenses are very different. You can get away with a cheap pair of sunglasses for UV protection, but there’s one area where you’re more likely to get what you pay for: lens quality.
If you see a pair of sunglasses that are five dollars, I hate to say it, but they’re probably just not very good lenses. Imperfect lenses can strain your eyes and become uncomfortable to wear, and can also hurt performance in sports or activities that require sharp vision.
Q: If I wear contacts that have UV protection do I still need to wear sunglasses?
A: YES! Contact lenses by themselves will not protect your eyes from all UV light. Many types of contact lenses are available with UV protection but you still need to fully protect your eyes with a good pair of sunglasses.
Q: Should sunglasses be worn for driving?
A: Absolutely! According to the Sun glass Association of America, the right sunglasses can allow clearer, safer and more comfortable vision while commuting. Polarized lenses are especially helpful for the glare that often occurs during the daily commute when the sun is just rising and setting.
Q: What’s the best way to clean my sunglasses?
A: Higher end sunglasses usually come with a hard case or a microfiber cloth or bag. The case will protect your new glasses far better than your pocket will, especially if you toss them in your purse or car. The cleaning cloth/bag will wipe the smudges, fingerprints and dust off your lenses with the least probability of scratching them. Using things like your shirt to polish your lenses can scratch your glasses if you don’t use the right material as there could be small particles of sand or dirt caught in the threads. Microfiber is best when cleaning your lenses. You can also look for lens cleaning solution or cloths that will make your lenses spotless and streak free which are available at any Sunstop for under $5.00.
Lastly, DO NOT USE ANY SPRAY WITH HARSH CHEMICALS like ‘Windex’ to clean your lenses, it will permanently damage your lenses! With all the different finishes and treatments on your sunglasses and the fact that most sunglasses now days are polycarbonate, not glass tells you they need to be treated differently. If you need a quick solution for dirty lenses then rinse then under warm soapy water while wiping with your fingers and dry with a soft clean cotton towel before polishing them with a microfiber cloth. You do not want to get the microfiber wet as it is used for dry cleaning only.
Q: I’ve had Lasik eye surgery so do I still need to wear Sunglasses?
A: Most ophthalmologists professional expert would in fact suggest you not to wear cheap quality sunglasses after your surgery. In general, they suggest that patients wear dark sunglasses at least for one year, if not always after the surgery. These sunglasses should be 100% UV safe so that it can protect your eyes from the extreme harmful UV rays especially sincepatients discover their eyes are more sensitive to light after having the surgery. If your eyes are not protected directly from sunlight especially after the surgery, there are chances of infection in your eyes. The eyes can also develop scars if they are exposed to the sun rays. Therefore, you must be very careful regarding the instructions your doctor gives you before and after the surgery. Make sure that the sunglasses that you use after the lasik eye surgery are of good quality. There are plenty of cheap quality sunglasses available in the market. You must try to avoid the purchase these cheap quality glasses because it would not serve the purpose for which they have been purchased. Not only would it fail to prevent the sun rays from entering into your eyes, but at the same time, it might also harm your eyes. Many doctors also recommend polarized sunglasses to their patients which will block even more light and offer more protection.
Q: What’s are the pro’s and con’s between a Polycarbonate lens and a Glass lens?
A: Glass Lenses:
- -They weigh more and if you drop your glasses they may crack.
- -They by far give you the best optics, in other words you get much better visual acuity through a Glass lens by almost double that of a polycarbonate lens.
- -They do not scratch near as easily as polycarbonate lenses.
- -Glass is the darkest lens overall when compared to a polycarbonate in overall darkness.
- -Glass lenses are considered the best for a driving lens.
- -They are very highly recommended for sports where impact may occur.
Polycarbonate Lenses:
- -They are a thinner and much lighter lens vs glass
- -They are shatterproof or impact resistant (which is the same thing.)
- -They are the safest lens when it comes to impact resistance, so you could smack it with a hammer and it would hold up but then you will not be able to see through it because it will be scratched up and dented. (Polycarbonate lenses are very soft and pliable and that’s why they are so impact resistant.)
- -Which brings me to my next point that polycarbonate lenses scratch the easiest, so it is a must that you use proper cleaning methods with a polycarbonate lens or their only going to last scratch free for about 10 minutes.
- -They are not as dark as a glass lens, so that could either be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your needs.
So although polycarbonate is the safest and most light weight, you are going to sacrifice some visual acuity.
In the end, you need to weigh your options and decide what’s more important to you in your sunglass and your lifestyle.