Frequently Asked Questions About Sunglasses

There is nothing better than being out in the summertime, soaking up the sunshine with friends and family. During these fun occasions, a pair of sunglasses will ensure that your eyes are well-protected.

However, when it comes to selecting sunglasses, there are many questions clients have but often find answers difficult to come by. Therefore, Doctors Eyecare Wetaskiwin wants to arm you with the most accurate information available to help you clear your doubts. To do this, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about sunglasses.

1. What should I look for when buying sunglasses?
When buying sunglasses, the most important thing to look for is a sticker or tag that indicates that the glasses will block UV rays. These are the light rays that can damage your eyes, causing cataracts, macular degeneration, photokeratitis (sunburn of the eye), and wrinkles.

2. How big should my sunglasses be?
Go bigger for optimum sun protection. The skin around our eyes is quite delicate, and there can be a lot of reflection from the sun’s rays. These rays can enter from a variety of angles if your sunglasses aren’t big enough. Design and fit are important considerations, so keep in mind that a bigger pair of glasses will offer additional sun protection.

3. Should I consider polarized and tinted lenses?
UVA and UVB protection is critical, but other lens features can also improve your experience of wearing sunglasses. For example, polarized lenses reduce the glare coming from reflective surfaces like snow, water, and even roads. Similarly, some tinted lenses can be great for sports like golf or baseball as they can make some colors look more vibrant and create increased contrast.

4. How do I take care of my sunglasses?
Like eyeglasses, sunglasses can be purchased with several different lens coatings that help minimize glare and reflections and protect against scratching. These coatings are delicate, and you want to avoid scraping or damaging them with heat as they can’t be reapplied or repaired without replacing the lens itself.

To protect the lenses of your glasses and any coatings, avoid leaving sunglasses exposed to direct heat. For example, on a radiator in the winter or on your dashboard on a hot and sunny day. Instead, keep your lenses protected as much as possible.

If you want to extend the life of your lenses, put your glasses in the case when you are not wearing them. Always clean them with a soft, non-abrasive cloth and use a glasses cleaner.

5. Do I need to wear sunglasses in the winter?
Remember to wear your sunglasses all year round, even on cloudy days. Just like it’s essential to wear sunscreen in the winter, your eyes can use sun protection during the cooler months.

In the wintertime, there are reflections and glare off the snow, and that’s UV rays bouncing back at you from different angles. Similarly, when you’re on the water — in a boat or canoe, for example — wearing UV 400 sunglasses can protect your eyes from the same type of reflection and glare.

If you have any more questions about sunglasses, get in touch with the experts at Doctors Eyecare Wetaskiwin. As leading optometrist in Wetaskiwin, AB, we provide a full range of eye health services to patients of all ages, from children to seniors. Our services include vision care, sunglasses, contact lenses, and children’s eyecare. We serve clients across Wetaskiwin, Millet, Maskwacis, Pigeon Lake, and the surrounding areas.

To learn more about how we can help you, please click here or contact us by clicking here.