How To Pick The Best Blue Light Blocking Glasses

• UV Protection
• Blue Light Protection
• Look for Larger Frames
• Avoid Focusing Too Much on Cost
• Consider Your Face Shape
• Proper Fit
• Consider the Style

Once the weather begins to become warmer and the sun comes out during the spring season, it’s important to have the right sunglasses to wear when spending more time outdoors. Frequent exposure to the sun can have harmful effects on your vision and can also make it difficult to see clearly while you perform different types of activities if you’re always squinting. If you’re in need of a new pair of sunglasses, it’s important to consider a few main factors when selecting the right product to ensure that you protect your vision throughout the season.

UV Protection

One of the most important features of sunglasses is UV protection, which will protect the eyes when spending time in the sun. UV rays can cause damage to the cornea, lens, and other parts of the eye. It can even lead to certain types of cataracts, macular degeneration, and growths on the eyes. With UV protection, you can spend more time in the sun without causing your vision to suffer or become impaired. Look for a tag on the glasses that states that the lenses block 99 to 100 percent of UV rays. Products with a “cosmetic” label block up to 70 percent of UV rays. Without any label, the lenses likely don’t block any rays and should be avoided.

Blue Light Protection

Many people don’t realize how damaging blue light can be when spending time in the sun. Although blue light is natural, it can have many adverse effects with prolonged exposure. Blue light is known to cause an interruption in the circadian rhythm and can interrupt the sleep cycle, which makes it difficult to fall asleep at night. It can also lead to eye strain and various eye diseases, which can eventually lead to permanent vision loss for some individuals. Fortunately, many different types of sunglasses offer blue light protection, since the eyes are not capable of blocking it on their own. Look for sunglasses that expand your vision by blocking both blue light and harmful solar radiation to avoid exposure to scattered blue light.

Look for Larger Frames

Not only are larger frames more stylish, but they also offer more protection due to their size. Larger frames mean that there’s less damage to the eyes. Look for sunglasses that are oversized or have a wraparound style to limit the number of UV rays that pass through the sides of the sunglasses. The larger lenses will also offer more protection to the skin to reduce the risk of melanoma.

Avoid Focusing Too Much on Cost

It can be easy to focus too much on the price tag of different pairs of sunglasses as you shop around, but it’s important to keep in mind that higher-quality shades can be worth the cost if they offer enough protection from UV rays and blue light. They’re also prone to lasting longer and fitting better due to the quality materials used and the construction of the product.

In the same regard, there are many types of cheaper sunglasses that still offer UV protection, making it necessary to focus more on how well your eyes will be protected rather than the cost of the item. Although polarized lenses cut glare and are often more expensive, they are not effective in blocking UV rays.

Darker lenses may also seem like they would offer more protection when blocking the sun, but they don’t necessarily protect against UV rays unless advertised. The color of the lenses also don’t affect their ability to block the sun, whether they have an amber, green, blue, or yellow shade. However, various colors are known to increase contrast, which can be beneficial in reducing eye strain to ensure that water activities are safer to perform while wearing the shades.

Consider Your Face Shape

Your face shape should be taken into consideration when buying new sunglasses to ensure that they complement your natural features. Don’t purchase frames that are wider than your face shape. Those with a square face shape should select sunglasses that are round to balance out the pronounced jawline. Individuals with a long face should choose larger lenses with a polygonal frame, which will modify the long shape. Oval face shapes can benefit from any type of sunglasses, but aren’t complemented by frames that are too thick or thin. Round faces tend to benefit from square sunglasses that include an angle design, which makes it necessary to purchase square shades with a thick frame.

Proper Fit

It’s important that your sunglasses fit correctly to ensure that they’re comfortable to wear and don’t shift or move easily as they’re worn. Try on different pairs to ensure that they’re not too snug, which can lead to discomfort and headaches. If the glasses are too small, the frames will bow outward and stretch. If the frames are too large, they can chafe the nose and cause irritation. The shades should also not slide off or fall off easily when you look down. The frame arms should be parallel to one another. Check to see if the earpieces have a good bend behind the ear to ensure that the glasses stay in place.

Consider the Style

It’s important that your sunglasses reflect your personal style and taste to ensure that they complement your wardrobe when you are accessorizing different outfits. If you enjoy minimal or modern attire, consider looking for a frameless pair of sunglasses that are sleek and edgy. If you enjoy wearing classic types of garments that are vintage, look for shades that have cat-eye or browline frames. Mirrored round sunglasses are also retro and are ideal for those who enjoy rocking a cool style. Oversized frames are also high fashion and can be worn by men or women who enjoy wearing upscale attire.