More than a fashion statement: Life looks better through the right sunglasses

I can’t believe the weather. I’ve seen less sunshine on holidays on the continent. And I’ve seen more people reaching for their sunglasses every day for the last couple of weeks than I have in years. And don’t we all look amazing.

Having been brought up on Top Gun, Miami Vice and 80’s pop, I think we all know that sunglasses are cool, and we are protecting our eyes at the same time. It’s a Win-Win.

Wearing sunglasses is a year long thing here in Stephen Olwell Opticians. We love the look of them, but also the knowledge that we are keeping our eyes young and healthy.

Ultraviolet radiation is one of the main avoidable dangers to the eye when we are outside, and it doesn’t have to be as sunny as this June and July to affect us. In Ireland, we compare clouds more often than blue skies. And even on a cloudy day we are exposed.

Did you know that scattered clouds still let approximately 90% of UV radiation through, compared with 30% for overcast, full clouds.

When you are heading out for the day, it’s always a good idea to check the UV index, to see what times of day will carry the most danger to the eyes. While it may sound obvious that clouds are not sunglasses, it does bear repeating.

So now that you know that you need sunglasses, what sunglasses do you need?

There are a few things to consider.

1. Lenses should be marked as UV400, or 99-100% UVA/UVB protection. Simply being dark does not block UV. Even clear lenses with UV400 protection are better than dark lenses without this.

2. Lenses can be used for different purposes.

• Category 0: Fashion tints for use indoors
• Category 1: Light tint for walking/running/cycling/golf
• Category 2: Medium tint for driving/hiking/cycling
• Category 3: Dark tint for strong sunshine, holidays, fishing, water sport
• Category 4: Very dark tint for skiing, extreme sunlight and not suitable for driving

3. Polarised lenses - these lenses can block out glare without being too dark and are a great addition for Irish sunshine, where often the clouds are brighter than the sky.

4. Fit and coverage: The last thing to consider is do I still look cool, and this is down to personal choice. Wraparound lenses give the best coverage and are great for sports and times when the sun can come from all angles. But whatever frames look so good on you, that you absolutely must wear them when leaving the house are definitely going to be the best option.

For children who need sunglasses, ensure that glasses fit appropriately and comfortably, as they are more inclined to take off glasses if they are not comfortable. If sunglasses are not tolerated, ensure that a wide brimmed hat is worn to protect the eyes from the sun.

So, in conclusion, before you go into the sun, find a good pair of sunglasses. And before you buy a pair of sunglasses, make sure you are happy with the level of protection that they give, that they fit, and that they provide enough coverage that your eyes are comfortable.

The best pair of sunglasses are the ones that protect your eyes, are comfortable and that you will actually wear.

So, go, enjoy the sun and if you can look cool, look cool in great sunglasses.

Call in to Stephen Olwell FAOI at Unit 3 Hazelwood Shopping Centre, Longford, N39 EW84 or call 043 33 42653 today.

*Sponsored Content