It is summertime and the peak season for sunglasses. However, it needs to be noted that sunglasses are an all-season accessory and a must have for everyone – thanks to their function of UV protection.
Sunglasses keep your eyes protected from all the harmful impacts that UV rays might cause. They also protect your eyes from various outdoor elements, eliminate glare, and also serve as a solid fashion accessory.
Just like glasses with clear lenses, sunglasses too are a multi-functional accessory, owing to the different types of lenses that sunglasses utilise. The round sunglasses that I recently bought over the online medium are a pair of polarised sunglasses, which serve the function of both UV protection and also eliminate glare.
Here is a list of the different types of sunglasses that you must know.
Basic Sunglasses
Although there is nothing such as basic sunglasses, we have used this name just to differentiate this type from the other variants. These types of sunnies provide the sole function of UV protection, and of course, serve as a fashion accessory as well.
Whenever you buy a pair of sunglasses, one of the most important considerations that you need to make is to look out for pairs that provide 100% UV protection, which is made possible when the pairs have got both UVA & UVB protective coatings.
Prescription Sunglasses
Prescription glasses become a must when you require an eyesight correction. However, when you move out in sunny conditions, these pairs are not your ideal eyewear option because UV protection is a must. No need to worry as prescription sunglasses can come to your rescue here.
Prescription sunglasses are nothing but a normal pair of sunglasses fitted with the required prescription. Whatever is your prescription requirements, you can get it fitted into the lenses of your prescription sunglasses during the time of purchase.
You can even get your existing pair of sunglasses upgraded to prescription sunglasses by sending them for reglazing. It is just the lenses that are replaced in the reglazing process.
Polarised Sunglasses
Polarised sunglasses are the variants that help in eliminating glare, along with the function of UV protection.
Light rays that are reflected horizontally on striking obstacles are known to cause glare. It is this component of light rays that we need to get rid of to eliminate glare. This is what polarised sunglasses do.
Polarised sunglasses eliminate glare with the help of a filter that is applied over their lenses. Horizontally reflected light rays responsible for causing glare are filtered out by these lenses.
For a clear vision when you are outdoors, polarised sunglasses become very important. To ensure a safe driving experience, or to enjoy the natural scenic beauty of the mountains, or even to maximise your catch when out on a fishing adventure with your friends, don’t forget to carry your polarised sunglasses along.
Wraparound Sunglasses
Wraparound sunglasses have an amazing utility when it comes to UV protection as it provides that extra bit of protection by ensuring full peripheral coverage of the eyes. Wraparound sunglasses are a great option for those who have to face sunny conditions for a long duration of time and on a frequent basis.
In present times, wraparound sunglasses are a style statement. They are not just worn by common people at a large scale but also by many celebrities during their public appearances. There is something about their shield-like structure that makes them a big hit among fashion enthusiasts.
Mirrored Sunglasses
Mirrored sunglasses are another variant of sunglasses that are super effective in eliminating the occurrence of glare. But then how do they vary from polarised sunglasses? The difference lies in the lenses.
Although the function of the lenses of both polarised and mirrored sunglasses is more or less the same, they differ in their construction that causes their visual appeal to vary too.
To eliminate glare, mirrored sunglasses use a thin metallic layer over their lenses. It is this metallic layer that imparts a mirror-like visual appeal to these pairs. The opaque visual appeal from outside might make you wonder as to how light is even allowed to enter. However, the lenses are designed in such a way that you will not face any difficulties with your vision as a sufficient amount of light is permitted inside, similar to other types of sunglasses.
Transitions
Transition lenses work both as normal glasses with clear lenses and sunglasses. These lenses come with photochromic dyes that make them sensitive to UV rays. On exposure to UV rays, transition lenses get activated and darken, thereby providing the function of UV protection.
Transitions are 2-in-1 lenses. When you are indoors in the absence of sun’s UV rays, these lenses maintain a clear visual appeal. Once you step outdoors in sunny conditions and the intensity of light incident on the surface of transition lenses changes, they undergo a change in tint colours. The colours of the tints adjust automatically based on the change in intensity of light.
When it comes to style, transition lenses are indeed very cool to don. When you move around with transition lenses, you will certainly make heads turn and also be showered with a lot of compliments.
Clip-on Sunglasses
Another cool variant of sunglasses to style! Clip-on sunglasses are made out of two components. One of them is a normal pair of glasses with clear lenses and the other one is the clip-on lenses with UV protective coating that are attached onto the normal pairs.
Clip-on sunglasses are very handy as you don’t have to carry two separate pairs for both your indoor and outdoor needs. Being an offbeat style, they are also something that can make you stand out from the crowd.
Based on the manner in which clip-on lenses are attached to your normal pair of glasses, they are of three common types – namely, standard, flip-up, and magnetic.
Now that you know the various types of sunglasses, you are in a good position to pick the type that suits your needs. So whenever you go to buy a pair of sunglasses, do make it a point to take this into consideration. Wish you a happy shopping experience!
