Sunglasses Advices

Eyeglasses frames - several articles

2008-07-01T13:25:00.001+02:00

Eyeglass Frames: It's a Material World - http://www.allaboutvision.com/eyeglasses/eyeglass_frame_materials.htm

Eye Glasses - The Style and Fit That Is Best For You - http://www.doctorsvisioncenter.com/frames.php

Which Eyeglass Frames Would Look Best on You? - http://www.allaboutvision.com/eyeglasses/eyeglasses_shape_color_analysis.htm

How To Choose Glasses - Nose Shapes

2008-07-01T13:21:00.001+02:00

Common advices

2008-02-16T11:55:00.008+01:00

When Is It Most Important to Wear Sunglasses?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology advocates wearing sunglasses anytime you're outdoors, but particularly when:

It's summer (when UV radiation is at least 3 times higher than it is during winter).
You're at the beach or near water.
You're outside at high elevations.
You're participating in snow sports.

In addition, if you have an eye disease, have had cataract surgery or are taking photosensitizing drugs, you should wear sunglasses whenever you go outside.

Are Pricey Glasses Worth It?

A $20 pair of sunglasses can look pretty similar to a $150 pair, so why pay more? The difference is in the technology, which offers more comfort, durability and performance. For around-town wear and while driving, an inexpensive casual pair may be all that you need. But for regular outdoor activities, especially high-impact ones such as cycling, performance glasses are usually well worth the investment.

How Do I Clean My Sunglasses?

Use a soft, line-free cloth (such as a microfiber) to clean your lenses.
Avoid wood-based materials, such as facial tissue, which are too abrasive for safe cleaning.
A spray-on lens cleaner or just plain water should also be used, since dry lenses are more susceptible to scratching when rubbed.

Accessories to Consider

Protective Case: If your sunglasses don't come with a hard or padded case, buy one. A case protects your eyewear from scratching and crushing, and helps keep the lenses clean.
Cleaning Cloth: A basic supply for cleaning.
Retainers: These are a must for active sports.
Storage Clip: A visor-mounted clip for your car keeps your sunglasses safe and accessible when not in use.

Find a pair that fits

2008-02-03T22:05:00.000+01:00

Fit Tips

Here are some tips when trying on a pair of sunglasses:

Frames should fit snugly on your nose and ears, but not pinch or rub.
The weight of sunglasses should be evenly distributed between your ears and nose. Frames should be light enough to avoid excess friction on these contact points.
Your eyelashes should not contact the frame.

Shopping online? Look for product descriptions that include fit guidelines such as "fits smaller faces" or "fits medium to large faces" for guidance. A few brands offer temples that are adjustable or come in several lengths.

Fit Adjustments

If you choose a metal or wire-core frame, you can usually adjust the fit by carefully bending the frame at the bridge and/or the temples. You may also be able to adjust the nosepieces, by pinching them closer together or farther apart, to rest on your nose more comfortably.

Lens Shape

There are no right or wrong lens shapes, but consider these guidelines:

Wrap-around lenses block more of the light hitting your eyes from the side. They improve aerodynamics, cutting down on wind that can dry out your eyes, and provide extra protection against rain, sand and other debris.
Different lens shapes complement the most common face shapes-oval, square, triangular and round:
- Oval faces look good in just about any shape of lens.
- Square faces, with their high temples, look good in rounded lenses, which soften contours.
- Triangular (or heart-shaped) faces look good in lenses that flare out toward the cheeks.
- Round faces are complemented by square lenses, which lengthen and slim facial lines.

Frame Considerations

2008-01-19T13:00:00.000+01:00

Frame Material

Choosing a frame is nearly as important as the lenses, since it contributes to the durability , comfort and safety of your sunglasses.

Metal—PROS: Easy to adjust to your face; less obtrusive to your field of vision. CONS: More expensive and less durable than other types; not for high-impact activities; can get too hot to wear if left in a closed-up car.
Nylon—Manufacturers use different brand names for their frame nylons, including Grilamid and O Matter(TM). PROS: Inexpensive, lightweight and more durable than metal; some have high impact-resistance for sports. CONS: Not adjustable, unless they have an internal, adjustable wire core.
Acetate and Zyl—Sometimes called "handmades," these variations of plastic are popular on high-style glasses. PROS: More color varieties are possible. CONS: Less flexible and forgiving; not intended for high-activity sports.

Hinges

These depend on the frame material. On most nylon frames, hinges feature a molded pin that's actually part of the frame material. This creates a very durable hinge. Metal, acetate and zyl frames must use either a barrel-hinge or spring-hinge design. These offer the advantage of extra flex to fit larger heads, at the cost of some durability. Higher-quality frames may use nickel-silver hinges that are more rugged and reliable.

Grippy Nosepieces or Temples

If you plan on working up a sweat, look for styles that have rubber nosepieces or earpieces that help keep your glasses from sliding down your nose.

Understanding UV and VLT

2008-01-02T15:12:00.000+01:00

UV Protection

Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can damage your eyes by contributing to cataracts, macular degeneration and growths on the eye, including cancer. All of the sunglasses offered at REI block 100% of UV light.

UVB rays are the main concern for eyes. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, "Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight is linked to eye disease. UVB radiation is considered more dangerous to eyes and skin than UVA radiation."
UVA rays are the primary ones absorbed by your eyes. While they pose far less concern than UVB, doctors still recommend that they be avoided.
UVC rays are not a concern, as they are blocked by the atmosphere.

UV protection information should be printed on the hangtag or price sticker of any sunglasses you buy, no matter where you buy them. If it isn't, find a different pair. Also keep in mind that cheap, tinted sunglasses with limited UV protection can actually do more harm than good, as they cause your eye lenses to open up wider, leaving them even more vulnerable to UV rays. Kids' eyes are especially vulnerable to UV light, since they don't have the same level of natural protection as adults.

Visible Light Transmission

The amount of light that reaches your eyes through your lenses is called Visible Light Transmission (VLT). Measured as a percentage, VLT is affected by the color and thickness of your lenses, the material they're made of and the coatings they have on them.

All-purpose sunglasses have a VLT of around 15-25%. Aim for glasses in this range if you need a pair for everyday use and basic recreational activities.
Glacier glasses (special sunglasses designed specifically to protect your eyes from the intense light at high altitudes) have a VLT of around 4-10%. Most glacier glasses also have shields to protect your eyes from light coming in from the sides of your lenses. Because of their low light transmission, glacier glasses should not be used for driving or other everyday activities.
Photochromic lenses automatically adjust to changing light intensities to protect you in a wider range of conditions. These lenses actually get darker (to block more light) on bright days, and lighter when conditions get darker. A couple of caveats: The photochromic process takes longer to work in cold conditions, and it doesn't work at all when driving a car (UVB rays do not penetrate your windshield, so the process is moot).

Understanding Lenses

2007-12-06T16:02:00.000+01:00

Lens Material

The material used in your sunglass lenses will affect their clarity, weight, durability and cost.

Glass—PROS: Superior optical clarity; superior scratch-resistance. CONS: Heavier than others; expensive; glass will "spider" when impacted (but not chip or shatter).

NXT polyurethane—PROS: Superior impact-resistance; excellent optical clarity; flexible and lightweight. CONS: Expensive.

Polycarbonate—PROS: Excellent impact-resistance; very good optical clarity; affordable; lightweight and low bulk. CONS: Less scratch-resistance; slightly less optical-clarity than glass or NXT.

Acrylic—PROS: Inexpensive alternative to polycarbonate, best suited for casual or occasional-use sunglasses. CONS: Less durable and optically clear than polycarbonate or glass; some image distortion.

Lens Color (Tint)

All sunglass lenses are tinted to cut down on overall brightness and enhance terrain definition. But your choice of tint colors affect your vision by influencing 1) how much visible light reaches your eyes, 2) how well you see other colors, and 3) how well you see contrasts.

Brown/gray/green—Brown, gray and green lenses are color-neutral, which means they cut down on overall brightness without distorting colors. These darker shades are intended primarily to cut through the glare and reduce eyestrain in moderate-to-bright conditions.

Yellow/gold/amber—Yellow, gold and amber lenses provide less overall brightness protection, but excel in moderate-to-low level light conditions. They provide excellent depth perception, which makes them perfect for skiing, snowboarding and other snow sports. They also enhance contrasts in tricky, flat-light conditions.

Rose/vermilion—Rose- and vermilion-colored glasses really do make the world seem brighter. They provide excellent low-light visibility and enhance contrast (perfect for skiing and snowboarding in cloudy conditions). They also enhance the visibility of objects against blue and green backgrounds, which makes them ideal for driving or exploring in forested areas.

Mirrored or flash coating—This refers to a reflective film applied to the outside surfaces of some sunglass lenses. They reduce glare by reflecting much of the light that hits the lens surface. Mirrored coatings make objects appear darker than they are, so lighter tints are often used to compensate for this.

Lens Coatings

The more expensive the sunglasses, the more likely it has several layers of coatings. These can include a hydrophobic coating to repel water, an anti-scratch coating to improve durability and an anti-fog coating for humid conditions or high-energy activities.

Lens Constructions

Two methods are commonly used. Lenses made via the injection process offer the best in optical clarity, but are more expensive. The bent-sheet process is used to make both performance and inexpensive glasses. High-end styles use a longer process to offer similar optical clarity as injected models, while lower-cost styles used a simplified process that yields a bit less clarity.

Interchangeable Lenses

Some styles come with interchangeable (removable) lenses of different colors. These multi-lens systems allow you to tailor your eye protection to your activities and current conditions. Consider this option if you need reliable performance in a wide variety of situations.

Polarized Lenses

Polarization is a great feature if you enjoy water sports or are especially sensitive to glare. When light reflects off of flat surfaces, such as a lake, the light waves align in horizontal patterns, creating intense glare. The filters in polarized lenses block these horizontal light waves, substantially reducing blinding glare and its resulting eyestrain.

In some instances, polarized filters react with the tints in windshields, creating blindspots and diminishing the visibility of LCD readouts. If this occurs, you should consider mirrored lenses as a glare-reducing alternative for driving.

The method used to polarize lenses affects both the optical-quality and cost of the sunglasses.

Inexpensive casual styles have the polarizing filter applied as an external film coating.

More durable and expensive sport styles sandwich the polarizing filter between layers of the lens.

The newest high-end technology combines the polarizing filter with the lens material while the latter is in a liquid form. This allows the filter and lens to bond without the use of adhesives and sustains an exceptionally high optical quality.

Sun protection advices for tourists

2007-11-11T15:40:00.000+01:00

Spend time in the shade when the sun is at its peak

One of the best ways to avoid the sun’s harmful UV rays is to find shade under trees, umbrellas, canopies or indoors
When your shadow is shorter than your height, you are more likely to burn

Make sure you never burn

It is painful, unattractive and can spoil your holiday
Sunburn can double your risk of skin cancer

Aim to cover up with a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses

Wear protective clothing. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing as much as possible. Tightly woven cloth is best, but any clothing is better than none at all.
A hat with a wide brim offers good sun protection for your eyes, ears, face and the back of your neck – areas that are particularly prone to sunburn.
Wear sunglasses that block out 99-100% of UV radiation. Sunglasses can help protect your eyes from sun damage. The ideal sunglasses don’t have to be expensive, but they should block 99-100% of UVA and UVB radiation. Check the label to see if they do. Wraparound sunglasses are best because they can protect your eyes from all angles.

Remember to take extra care with children

Young skin is delicate and easily damaged by the sun.
Keep babies under six months out of the sun, especially when it is at its peak

Then use factor 15+ sunscreen

Apply at least a SPF 15+ sunscreen to all exposed areas of the skin.
Sunscreen should not be relied upon as the only form of sun protection. No sunscreen, no matter how high the factor, can offer 100% protection.
Sunscreen should be reapplied liberally every two hours.

Look out for the UV Index

The UV Index is a measure of the sun’s strength. The higher the value, the greater thedanger from the sun and the less time it takes to damage your skin. The UV Index willprovide you with guidance as to how strong the UV will be for the day.

How Do Polarized Lenses Work?

2007-10-27T13:11:00.001+02:00

When light reflects off of flat surfaces, such as a lake, the light waves align in horizontal patterns, creating intense glare. The filters in polarized lenses block these horizontal light waves, substantially reducing blinding glare and its resulting eyestrain.

Polarized lenses utilize polarized filtering technology to diffuse the concentrated light waves. This filtering process eliminates 99% of the reflected glare.

There is some debate on the effects of polarized lenses on snow-covered surfaces. Some experts say they can reduce the intense glare that is caused by sunlight reflecting off snow. Others purport that the lenses are not satisfactory for sports such as downhill skiing because they may not provide the contrast the eye needs to distinguish ice patches or moguls.

In addition, polarized lenses may also react adversely with liquid crystal displays (LCDs) found on the dashboards of some cars or in other places such as the digital screens on automatic teller (bank) machines. The problem with LCDs is that when viewed through polarized lenses from a certain angle, they can be invisible.

However, for most other sports and activities, polarized sunglasses can offer great advantages. And today, many types of polarized lenses are available on the market.

The method used to polarize lenses affects both the optical-quality and cost of the sunglasses.

Inexpensive casual styles have the polarizing filter applied as an external film coating.
More durable and expensive sport styles sandwich the polarizing filter between layers of the lens.
The newest high-end technology combines the polarizing filter with the lens material while the latter is in a liquid form. This allows the filter and lens to bond without the use of adhesives and sustains an exceptionally high optical quality.

Whether you spend your time boating or waterskiing, in-line skating or mountain biking, driving or jogging, polarized sunglasses are an excellent choice.

Tips for eye care in winter weather

2007-10-11T10:18:00.000+02:00

Most people think that is only necessary to protect their eyes from the sun during the summer. But the Sun’s influence does not diminish during the rest of the year so the eyes need to be protected during the winter too. The American Academy of Ophthalmology — the Eye M.D. Association — offers the following tips:

Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UV light, especially when the ground is covered in snow. People forget the sun is just as bright when reflected by the snow as it is when glinting off the ocean and beach, leading to sunburned eyes. High-quality, UV-blocking sunglasses can prevent this and reduce exposure to the wind and cold. Later in life cataract formation and retina problems may occur caused by the UV light.
While skiing or snow boarding wear ski goggles to protect your eyes. UV-light exposure increases at higher altitudes because the air is thinner and light glints off the snow, causing snow blindness. A pair of ski goggles with polycarbonate lenses, properly fitted, can block out harmful UV light. The goggles will also protect the eyes from hazards, such as tree branches and flying ski pole tips.
Use a humidifier in the bedroom during months with low humidity. This helps moisten dry eyes, especially when exposed to forced air heating.
Bundle up by wearing a brimmed hat, wrap around sunglasses and a hooded jacket or coat. This will help block the swirling, cold wind from the eyes and prevent the tear film covering the eyes from evaporating.
Contact lens wearers should limit their outdoor exposure and use artificial tears frequently. Soft contact lenses, in particular, are like little sponges. They need lots of moisture. If they start to dry out, they can change shape and stick to the eye, becoming painful and cloudy. Drinking alcohol can also enhance this problem.

The academy recommends that anyone who experiences eye problems or injures should see their eye doctor as soon as possible.

Hats and Sunglasses

2007-10-02T22:33:00.000+02:00

Hats

Hats should ideally have at least a 3" brim all the way around. Baseball caps or visors offer limited protection to the neck and ears. However, a baseball cap brim will shelter the eyes from about 50% of the sun's rays.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are manufactured in accordance with ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standards and fall within the following 3 categories:

Cosmetic use: blocks at least 70% UVB, 60% UVA
General use: blocks 95% UVB, 60% UVA
Special Purpose Intense Sunlight: blocks 99% UVB, 98% UVA
For tropical use, try to find sunglasses rated "Special Purpose Intense Sunlight." Sunglasses should fit tightly to block UVR from the sides and have lenses large enough to cover the entire eye area, including eye lids.
Color is irrelevant in terms of UV ratings (UV coating is clear, and doesn't affect the color of the sunglasses).

Polarized sunglasses cut down glare, but don't block UV rays. Always look for the ANSI rating - even on polarized sunglasses.

At present, UV absorbing contact lenses do not have enough UV protection.

Dude Catches Glasses With Face

2007-09-29T13:14:00.001+02:00

This is a pretty sweet video of a guy who is able to catch sunglasses on his face when his buddy throws a pair at him. I dont know how they pulled some of these off but its really sweet!

Sunscreens and Sunblocks

2007-09-23T13:44:00.000+02:00

Important: Never use sunscreens of any kind on babies not yet 6 months old. Test sunscreens for allergic reactions in children by applying the sunscreen to a patch of skin. Baby oil does NOT contain sunscreen.

Sunscreens are either "organic" or "inorganic" (inorganic sunscreens are also called "physical" sunscreens). "Organic" does NOT mean the sunscreens are naturally produced. Rather, an "organic" sunscreen is one which is composed of carbon and hydrogen (among other things).

Organic sunscreens are absorbed into the skin to some extent. PABA (para amino benzoic acid) is the most famous sunscreen because of the allergic reaction it causes in so many people. Many people are also allergic to the common organic sunscreen Benzophenone (Oxybenzone).

Most organic sunscreens block only UVB rays. For UVB protection, SPF 15 is adequate for most skin types since an SPF 15 sunscreen blocks 95% of UVB rays while an SPF 30 sunscreen stops only about 2% more (97%).

Inorganic or physical suncreens are really microscopic solid pieces of sunscreen - the most common being zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Most physical sunscreens are now microfine and with particles so small they cannot be seen (unlike the thick white paste of past lifeguard movie fame). Zinc oxide is generally considered very safe and causes very few allergic reactions.

Titanium dioxide blocks some UVA and zinc oxide blocks more UVR than any other single ingredient. No sunscreen will completely block UVA rays.

Tips on Choosing a Sunscreen:

Don't rely simply on statements of "protection" against UVA since some researchers believe many of these sunscreens only offer an SPF of 3 or 4 for UVA rays, even if the SPF is much higher for UVB rays. Instead, look for a sunscreen labeled "broad spectrum" that contains zinc oxide and has a minimum SPF rating of 15.

Apply sunscreen about 20 minutes before sun exposure to allow it time to "set up" on the skin. Reapply every two hours when swimming or sweating.

Use at least 1 full ounce of sunscreen per adult per application (SPF ratings are based on this amount). Using a smaller amount of SPF 30 does NOT equal a greater amount of SPF 15!

SPF Sunscreen Recommendations based on skin type:
- Type 1 (always burns, never tans): 30 SPF
- Type 2 (usually burns, tans with difficulty): 20 SPF
- Type 3 (sometimes burns, sometimes tans): 15-20 SPF
- Type 4 (burns minimally, always tans): 15 SPF
- Type 5 (rarely burns, tans profusely): 15 SPF
- Type 6 (never burns, deeply tans): 15 SPF
Other sunscreen tips:
- Pay special attention when applying sunscreen to your ears, nose, shoulders and tops of feet.
- When snorkeling, pay particular attention to the back of the calves and thighs.

Sun Protection Methods

2007-09-21T17:27:00.000+02:00

As with sunscreens, sun protection from UVB rays provided by clothing and fabrics is expressed in terms of an SPF rating.

Research on clothing and UVR protection has found that:

One hundred percent (100%) polyester has the highest SPF of all fabrics, providing 2 to 3 times more sun protection that any other fabric.
Darker colored clothing has a much higher SPF than light colored clothing (black clothing provides 5 times more protection than white clothing - a white T-shirt has only a 5 SPF rating).
Knits have a higher SPF than woven fabrics, and nylon spandex knits have a very high SPF, regardless of color.
The heavier the weight of the fabric, the higher its SPF. A double layer of fabric almost doubles the SPF of clothing. This is true regardless of fabric type (the same for cotton, silk and polyester, for example).
More tightly woven fabrics help reduce UVR transmission to the skin, but not as effectively as heavier-weight fabrics.
Wet fabrics INCREASE the amount of UVR that reaches the skin - by as much as one-third.

What does this all mean for clothing in the tropics?

1. In very hot weather, wear loose fitting, tightly woven clothing. The folds of loose fitting clothing provides sort of a "double layer" of fabric, thereby doubling the SPF of the clothing. The tight weave helps reduce UVR transmission when it's too hot for more effective heavier-weight fabrics.

2. When snorkeling or swimming for long periods, wear a dark-colored t-shirt for extra sun protection. Not only does a light-colored t-shirt offer limited SPF protection, the fact that it's wet INCREASES the UVR that reaches the skin, rather than DECREASING it. Bicycle shorts are also not a bad idea when snorkeling.

3. Put on dry clothes (or at least cover-up) after swimming and snorkeling.

4. Wear a cover-up on the beach since UVR rays are intensified by the sand.

5. SunSmart offers a unique brand of clothing for children and infants that blocks up to 97% UV rays. Not cheap, but worth looking into.

General facts about the Sun

2007-09-20T09:58:00.000+02:00

The Sun is a star at the center of the Solar System around which orbits the Earth. It s composed of hydrogen (about 74% of its mass, or 92% of its volume), helium (about 25% of mass, 7% of volume), and trace quantities of other elements.

Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR)

The sun produces ultraviolet radiation (UVR) that gives us light to see, warmth, and fuel for the growth of plants.

UVR has 3 different bands - UVA, UVB and UVC. Very little UVC reaches the earth's atmosphere. UVB is the strongest type and causes most sunburns. UVA is weaker than UVB, but about 100 times more UVA than UVB rays reach the earth's surface, meaning UVA protection is still important.
Skin cancers, cataracts and 90% of visible aging (wrinkles) are caused primarily by UVB and UVA rays. Sunburn is caused primarily by UVB rays.

The risk of skin cancer is believed to double for people who receive just one or two severe sunburns during childhood. In fact, researchers believe that 80-90% of the skin damage that causes wrinkles and skin cancer is received before the age of 18.
Sunburn shows damage to the skin caused by UVB rays. However, just because the skins shows no visible signs of a burn does not mean it is not being damaged by the sun.

SPF Ratings

The sun protection factor (or SPF) measures the amount of sun protection provided against UVB rays ONLY. SPF does NOT measure the amount of protection provided against UVA rays. The SPF rating indicates how much longer it takes to get a sunburn using a sunscreen than it would without using it. For example, an SPF rating of "4" means it takes four times as long to get a sunburn, a rating of 20 means it takes 20 times as long.

A tan only provides about the same amount of sun protection as a sunscreen of 3 SPF.
For sun protection purposes skin is divided into 6 types. The Skin Types are:

Type 1: Always burns, never tans (fair skin, light-eyes, freckles)
Type 2: Usually burns, tans with difficulty
Type 3: Sometimes burns, sometimes tans
Type 4: Burns minimally, always tans
Type 5: Rarely burns, tans profusely
Type 6: Never burns, deeply tans (dark skin, dark eyes)

The Ozone Layer

Ozone is the gas that filters UVB rays from the atmosphere (ozone does not filter UVA rays). The size of the ozone layer (and the protection it provides from UVB varies based on the time of day, location, season and altitude).

The ozone layer is at its thinnest in the tropics (UVR levels are 1,000 times higher at the equator than at the North or South Poles).
The ozone layer is also thinner during the summer and fall, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sand increases the intensity of UVRs by reflecting back most of the UVRs that reach the earth's surface - intensity can be increased by as much as 80%.
Surprisingly, water reflects very little UVR and cloud cover reduces UVR that reaches the earth's surface - but the amount of protection is determined by the density of the cloud cover.
The ozone layer provides much less protection from UVR at high altitudes

How do sunglasses work (video lesson)

2007-09-19T23:27:00.000+02:00

Ever wondered what is the purpose of the tinted lenses, what is polarization, how does it work, what is the difference between $10 sunglasses and $80 sunglasses? This is a very usefull and comprehensive video lesson. Enjoy it!

Types of Sunglasses

2007-09-19T20:54:00.000+02:00

Do you know all the different types of sunglasses? Can you name at least 10 of them? Can you name 32 of them? Sure you can’t, me too. No matter what your style, your gender, your face shape or your pocket's limitations, there are so many types out there that you will certainly find the most suitable.

Aviator Sunglasses
Baseball Sunglasses
Bifocal Sunglasses
Big Sunglasses
Classic Sunglasses
Clip-On Sunglasses
Cool Sunglasses
Cycling Sunglasses
Fake Sunglasses
Golf Sunglasses
Magnified Reading Sunglasses
Men's Sunglasses
Mirrored Aviator Sunglasses
Motorcycle Goggles
Night Sunglasses
Night Vision Goggles
Polarized Prescription Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized Sunglasses
Prescription Sunglasses
Reading Sunglasses
Replica Sunglasses
Retro Sunglasses
Rimless Sunglasses
Running Sunglasses
Ski Goggles
Sport Sunglasses
Square Hippie Sunglasses
Tennis Sunglasses
Vintage Sunglasses
Water Wear Infant Sunglasses
Women's Polarized Mirrored Sunglasses
Women's Sunglasses

How do polarized sunglasses work? (video lesson)

2007-09-18T22:58:00.001+02:00

A very interesting example of the polarizing effect.

Manufacturing of the sunglasses (video lesson)

2007-09-18T11:23:00.000+02:00

This is a video clip showing how sunglasses are being made, what materials and what tools are used to manufacture them. And you thought sunglasses are not complicated :)

How to ensure your eyes are protected?

2007-09-17T18:07:00.000+02:00

Here are several of advices how to ensure that our eyes are protected?

Select sunglasses that block ultraviolet (UV) rays. Don't be deceived by color or cost. The ability to block UV light is not dependent on the darkness of the lens or the price point.

Ideally, your sunglasses should wrap all the way around your temples, so the sun's rays can't enter from the side.

In addition to the sunglasses, it is recommended to wear a broad-rimmed hat to protect your eyes. Don't be fooled by a cloudy day. The sun's rays can pass through the haze and thin clouds.

Even if you wear contacts with UV protection, don't forget your sunglasses.

It's especially important to wear sunglasses in the early afternoon, when UV light is most intense, and in higher altitudes where UV light is more intense.

The History of Sunglasses

2007-07-24T16:26:00.000+02:00

The history of sunglasses dates back to ancient China and Rome. It has been reported that the Roman emperor Nero enjoyed watching gladiator fights through polished gems. In China, sunglasses were used in the twelfth century or even earlier. Sunglasses were first made out of lenses that were flat panes of smoky quartz. These types of sunglasses could not correct vision, or protect from harmful UV rays, but did reduce glare. Chinese judges used the smoky quartz glasses to hide their facial expressions when they interrogated witnesses.

Sunglasses did not undergo further changes until about the eighteenth century because of the work of James Ayscough. He experimented with tinted lenses in spectacles. Ayscough was steadfast in the belief that glasses tinted with a blue or green color could potentially correct specific vision problems. Ayscough was not concerned with protecting the eyes from the suns rays.

Sunglasses underwent the change into the popular item they are today when Sam Foster introduced them to America in 1929. These sunglasses were designed to protect people's eyes from the sun. Foster sold his sunglasses on the beaches of Atlantic City, New Jersey. Foster's sunglasses were sold at Woolworth on the boardwalk.

Polarized sunglasses appeared in 1936 when Edwin H. Land began using his patented Polaroid filter. Around this time, even more Americans started buying sunglasses. Celebrities also began to wear sunglasses. They started to become not only a way to protect against sun glare, but also a way to be cool. Sunglasses became a cultural phenomenon, and some people wore them even when it wasn't sunny, or when they were indoors.

Today, sunglasses continue to have advances. UV protection has almost become an industry standard, and there are sunglasses available for a variety of sports. There are numerous tints available for sunglasses, and sunglasses have changed styles over the years. Prescription glasses have also been given tints that only appear when the sun's rays hit the glasses. In 2004, Oakley developed a brand of sunglasses that had a built-in digital audio player. Many blind people now wear sunglasses, and many recognizable celebrities can be found wearing sunglasses. Even fictional characters can be seen wearing them. Sunglasses have come a long way from their early Roman and Chinese history!