Every body is donning a designer shades these days, men and women alike. For years many years now they have come and gone in all shapes and sizes, and now they are back in action – this time round the bigger they get the better.

Sunglass styles change every year, just like every other fashion, but the selections are so varied that no pair will ever really go out of style. And since sunglasses don’t have to be expensive to be effective, you don’t have to spend a fortune to develop a nice collection.

Designer and specialty sunglasses, like the kinds used for sports, cost more than most sunglasses, but you’ll find all kinds of fashion glasses for sale at affordable prices. Watch the UV ratings carefully and you’ll be fine.

Unless you already know which frame shapes look good on you, go shopping and try on as many styles as possible. If you can get permission to walk outside with glasses on, do it, so that you can find out how they actually work in the sunlight.

Sunglass frames can be made from plastic, base metals, titanium, aluminum and many other materials. Try on lots of frame types to compare their weight and to find out which ones feel the best since some are heavier than others and some types are more durable.

Three materials are commonly used for sunglass lenses:
• Polycarbonate, a durable lightweight plastic.
• CR-39, a plastic used mostly in prescription-grade lenses.
• Glass, durable but much heavier to wear.

When buying your sunglasses make sure that;

1. Your sunglasses must provide protection from ultraviolet radiation, a component of sunlight that contributes to eye disease. It is recommended that you look for sunglasses with lenses that block 99-100% of UVA and UVB radiation. The label should read either UV 400 or 100% UV protection.

2. Look for sunglasses that filter out at least some blue light, which can damage the retina and lead to macular degeneration (vision loss from degeneration in parts of the eye). To make sure, try wearing them outside; a blue sky should appear gray with these on. Also ask about polarization, a type of filtering that helps reduce glare.

3. Choose a lens color based on your preferences and comfort level. Gray doesn’t affect color perception; orange-brown lenses are a good choice for those with macular degeneration, since they filter out UV and blue light rays for maximum retinal protection; green lenses distort color less than other shades, such as red or yellow.

4. Opt for lightweight, plastic, shatterproof sunglasses if you’re going to be wearing them when playing sports.

5. Own several pair of sunglasses since one pair can’t do everything. Leave a pair in the car for driving--cheap ones if you tend to sit on them. A slim stylish pair will not protect your eyes from debris while riding your bike. So choose wisely.

6. Choose lens color carefully. Sensitive eyes need dark lenses. Gray or gray-green are good for general use. Brown works well for daytime driving or golf. Yellow and       amber provide depth perception in low-light conditions. Avoid light blue and pink   for driving or sports as they distort color. Some people have interchangeable lenses.

Buy yourself   a pair or two today and be part of the sun glass wearers.

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