Whether they’re designer or dollar store, here’s how to compare sunglasses:
1. Ultraviolet ray absorption — both UVB and UVA. This is the most important ingredient for sunglasses, since failure to protect your eyes can lead to eye damage and disease.
The Foundation of the American Academy of Opthalmology says: Look for sunglasses that block 99 percent or 100 percent of all UV light. Some manufacturers’ labels say “UV absorption up to 400nm.” This is the same thing as 100 percent UV absorption.
WebMD adds that this is another indication of lenses that provides the UV protection you want: Lenses meet ANSI Z80.3 blocking requirements. (This refers to standards set by the American National Standards Institute.)
2. Polarization. This is helpful because it reduces glare reflected from flat surfaces like pavement or pools of water, increasing your visibility while you’re driving, the foundation says. This has nothing to do with protecting your eyes from harmful rays.
3. The quality control test. To determine if nonprescription lenses are made well, the foundation recommends that you:
Fix your eyes on a tile or other object with a rectangular pattern. Cover one eye. Hold the glasses away from your face. Slowly move the glasses up and down and side to side. If the lines in the rectangular pattern remain straight during the test, the lenses are fine. If they don’t, the lenses are likely made of cheap pressed plastic.
3. Frame design. The foundation says:
Studies have shown that enough UV rays enter around ordinary eyeglass frames to reduce the benefits of protective lenses. Large-framed wraparound sunglasses can protect your eyes from all angles. WebMD says the next best choice is a really big lens that goes down to your cheekbones. You also want glasses that sit close to your face so that UV rays don’t leak over the top.
4. Lens color. You can minimize color distortion by picking gray, green or brown lenses, WebMD says.
