6 Important Factors to Consider When Selecting Sunglass Lenses

Sunglasses are one of the most important accessories a person can have. They can completely change the look of your face and show off your personality.

As the clouds begin to part and we spend more time outdoors as the weather gets warmer, it’s time to get a new pair of shades for the summer season. There are a lot of sunglass lenses to choose from, so pay attention to these six important factors before you make your final decision.

Shape

Sunglasses come in many different types of shapes these days. The choice comes down to the way you want the lenses to fit on your face.

Many sunglass companies recommend choosing a lens shape based on the shape of your face. For example, if you have a square face shape, rounder lenses will look better on you, and if you have a round face shape, more rectangular shades may be for you.

For kids, the shape of the sunglasses should fit their faces so that they don’t fall off and get broken. If you are trying to save money on your kid’s clothing and accessories, it’s best to keep them in good shape so that they last longer. Sunglasses for children also come in fun shapes like watermelons and sunflowers, so they are sure to keep your child looking their best this summer.

Size

The size of your sunglass lenses all depends on how much skin around your eyes you want to be covered. Many people are opting for larger lenses these days to prevent crow’s feet and other wrinkles around the eyes due to long-term exposure to the rays of the sun.

The size of your sunglass lenses also comes down to a style choice. Modern styles indicate that women are more drawn to very large round lenses that cover a good percentage of the face and men prefer an aviator shape that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom.

Transition Lenses

If you are a person that already wears prescription glasses on a daily basis, transition lenses are probably the best option for you.

Transition lenses serve as normal glasses and sunglasses depending on your exposure to sunlight. Because transition lenses are light-adaptive, they will slowly darken when you walk outdoors and help protect your eyes as they adapt to the sunlight.

They basically make for two pairs of glasses in one, preventing you from needing to carry two types of sunglasses with you at all times.

Polarization

One of the big questions when choosing a good pair of sunglasses is whether or not to get ones that are polarized. Polarized glasses have a better ability to deflect light and enhance vision than normal sunglasses.

If you choose to get polarized sunglasses, the way you see things while wearing them may differ from what they actually look like. For example, polarized glasses are really fun to wear if you go anywhere near a body of water. The polarization of the lenses plus the sunlight reflecting off of the water creates a really stunning optical illusion that makes the water look incredible.

Polarized lenses are a good choice if you plan on going on a beach vacation or a vacation with a lot of water sports. You can shop now for polarized lenses that will fit perfectly in any of your preexisting frames. All you have to do is pop your normal lenses out and push your new polarized lenses in.

Coloring

Different colors of lenses let you see the world in different tones. Some people choose certain colored lenses simply for their aesthetic, but there are other reasons to pay attention to the color of your lenses.

For one thing, lighter-colored lenses like yellow and rose, may not protect your eyes as well as lenses that are grey, black, or brown if you are exposed to direct sunlight for many hours. Make sure to test out how your eyes react to different shades and colors before you buy.

Material

Sunglass lenses can be made from many different materials. The most common types of lenses are made from plastic and glass. Both types serve well when protecting your eyes from the sun, but they have some major differences.

Plastic lenses weigh much less than glass ones and are ideal for people who don’t love the feeling of glasses resting on their faces. Plastic lenses are probably the easiest to replace as well because it is cheaper to produce plastic lenses than other materials. On the other hand, plastic may scratch more easily than glass and is more easily damaged or warped due to heat or accidentally sitting on them.

Glass lenses have more weight to them, making them a bit more sturdy than plastic. They are also less likely to become foggy or discolored over time. Glass is also a good material because you can add different types of coating to it like waterproof and anti-fog, whereas plastic is a harder medium to add coating to.

Once you have your perfect pair of sunglasses and a few interchangeable lenses to go with them, it’s time to go out and enjoy that summer sun. Have fun knowing that you chose the perfect pair for yourself and your family that will keep your eyes protected all summer long.