UV Protection
Opt for sunglasses with 100% UV protection. Some shades, especially children's sunglasses, offer only 50% protection or slightly more. Avoid wearing these sunglasses, since they do not provide the complete protection your eyes need.
Choose Function Over Fashion
Pick out sunglasses for eye protection, not just to look fashionable. Benjamin Franklin--style sunglasses may be all the rage, but they'll do little to protect your eyes and eyelids from the sun. The best sunglasses for eye protection wrap around the sides and have lenses big enough to cover the entire eye area.
A good example is the fashionable Anon by Burton Contender. This model absorbs 100% of UV rays and provides good lens and side coverage. When you shield your eyes on the sides as well as the top and bottom, you cut down on the UV rays that reach your retinas.
Pick Colors Carefully
Remember that darker lenses are not necessarily better. As a matter of fact, darker lenses may cause the eyes to dilate, making them more susceptible to UV damage. The best sunglasses for eye protection are amber or gray in color. These afford you adequate protection and still allow you to differentiate red and green traffic lights. Witness sunglasses by Smith provide gray or amber lenses in addition to wraparound coverage.
Increase UV Protection When Taking Part in Sports on Reflective Surfaces
Choose increased UV protection when you hike in the snow, participate in any winter sports that take you onto the reflective surfaces of snow or ice, or enjoy water sports. The best sunglasses for eye protection in these settings are wraparound styles and goggles that offer all-around protection of the eyes. Hikers in the snow may benefit from the lightweight Oakley Oil Rig sunglasses that offer the size and protection required to keep eyes protected in the highly reflective environment.
