Sunglasses are not created equal and there are many types of shades glasses to choose from. This makes choosing the best pair of sunglasses for you a little more difficult. You might need ones that protect your sensitive eyes from lighting, because you're always on the computer, or protection from the sun because you enjoy outdoor activities or maybe you just want a pair that will complete your outfit for that rockstar appeal.

No matter what your reason is for wearing sunglasses there are sunglass types that are best for you. You’ll need to understand what you're looking for in order to find the ones that will provide you with exactly what you need protection, style or both. 

So, if you spend a lot of time outdoors or participate in snow sports or fishing you’ll want to ensure you’re wearing a good pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes and maintain healthy vision. 

If you have sensitive eyes, you’ll want to choose the right tint to keep the lights out to prevent migraines and reduce eye fatigue. 

Understanding the different options will help you to make the right decision.

What type of sunglasses should I get?

There are many reasons for wearing sunglasses. Some of the most important is they have the ability to reduce discomfort and shield your eyes from harmful radiation. There are many different options when it comes to sunglasses and two of the most popular ones are tinted and polarized lenses. 

Polarized Sunglasses

Polarized lenses are considered to be anti-glare sunglasses. They help to reduce light glare and eye strain which will improve your vision while protecting your eyes from the sun. These are perfect lenses for when working or playing outdoors.

Polarized lenses have a special chemical applied to them to filter light that aids in specifically blocking some of the light from passing through the lens. This is similar to how mini blinds work. The only light that is able to pass through the blind’s openings is seen. This is because it filters vertical openings and blocks horizontal light waves.

So why would you want sunglasses with polarized lenses?

Benefits of Polarized Lenses

• They improve the clarity of vision. These lenses will enhance the clarity of vision and provide a greater contrast for objects. 
• Enhanced comfort and reduces eye fatigue. Your eyes are much more relaxed when you aren’t battling the glare. Just think of it this way less glare and less fatigue equals more comfort.
• You can see more colors naturally. Polarized lenses will not distort colors unlike other types of lenses. You see things just as they are clearly and accurately. 

Tinted Sunglasses

Tinted lenses come in a variety of tint colors. The most common are brown or gray as they offer you a decent amount of protection from the light without distorting too much of your vision. Brown offers a warmer hue and provides more of a contrast type of lens, but this can distort certain colors. And gray is more neutral which makes seeing things more natural. So, you’ll see things in a more true appearance of color.

But the various colors offer you different benefits to how the light reaches your eyes, and can change the way that you see.

When you’re considering the density of the tint you’ll want to think about protection. Tinted lenses can be lighter or darker and most of which will be based on your preference. 

PROS

• You have a variety of densities and colors to choose from. Whether it’s 25%, 50%, 75 % solid, or gradient. Keep in mind that the higher the density of the tint the more protection you’ll have.
• Style. Let’s face it, style is very important when it comes to wearing sunglasses. And if you’re trying to build a good eyewear wardrobe, tinted lenses offer you a huge selection that provides comfort and protection.  There’s no reason you won’t be able to find tinted lenses that will match your unique style - magenta, purple or blue lenses will make that bold statement you’re looking to make. 
• Cost effective. You’ll find that tinted lenses are generally less expensive than polarized lenses. These types of sunglasses on average range from $15-$30 but can also get up there in price depending on the brand.  But buying a pair certainly won’t break the bank.

UV-Blocking Sunglasses

Wearing UV blocking sunglasses is essential to any pair of sunglasses. UV protection is a coating that is added to sunglasses that will filter out the harmful Ultraviolet Radiation and prevent it from coming into contact with your eyes. These harmful rays can be reflected off sand, water, snow, and buildings, even when the sun isn’t shining bright.  

Unfortunately, not every pair of sunglasses comes with a UV coating can. And no matter how dark the lenses might be without this UV coating your eyes are not protected. Even short-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause damage to your eyes that is similar to a sunburn on your skin. Sunburn to your eyes can look like this - they become red and puffy, and may even feel gritty, as if you have sand in them, or your eyes may water excessively and you’re very sensitive to light. Thankfully, these symptoms are generally temporary. But long term exposure can lead to greater risks of developing eye conditions later on in life.

Is UV or polarized sunglasses better?

There’s no denying that UV light can be harmful. It’s the reason why you lather up with sunscreen before you head to the beach or go out in the sun. The sun can burn your skin and cause many health-related issues if overly exposed. The same things can happen to your eyes. Exposure to UV light can damage your eyes, and potentially lead to cataract formation, the development of macular degeneration, and cause central vision loss. 

Whether you choose polarized or tinted sunglasses, you’ll need to include UV protection because neither tinted or polarized lenses will block harmful UV rays.  You’ll need to make sure that any type of sunglasses that you purchase will block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. 

Which sunglass color is best for eyes?

The sunglass color that you choose for your eyes will be determined by your activities and needs. But generally dark colors, such as brown, gray and green are best for everyday use and most outdoor activities. These darker shades will cut through most of the glare and aid in reducing eye strain in most lighting conditions. For extremely bright conditions you’ll want to go darker. 

What are the best sunglasses for light sensitive eyes?

The best sunglasses for sensitive eyes are tinted sunglasses. When your eyes are sensitive to light, it's best that you choose a dark lens color. This will help to better protect your eyes on bright, sunny days. The darker they are the better they will deter the excess light from entering your eyes. But too dark will distort your vision slightly. 

How to determine what type of sunglasses to wear

The best way to determine what type of sunglasses to wear is to first think of what you’ll be wearing them for. The best sunglasses for eyes that are sensitive to light won’t necessarily be the best pair for you if you're looking to protect from UV rays. You won't want to select the amber tinted lenses if you’re going to head up the mountain for a day of skiing down the slopes

The best color for sunglasses aren’t the same for everyone, but every pair should have a strong UV and light protection even if you’re choosing sunglasses sensitive eyes or sports sunglasses.

At ShadyVEU we offer a wide selection of sunglasses that will suit your needs no matter what they are.