Play It Safe in the Sun - Wear Those Shades !

As you rub in the sunscreen to protect your skin this summer, don't forget sunglasses to protect your eyes. With the thinning ozone layer, it's not just skin cancer you have to worry about. Your eyes are vulnerable to the effects of Ultra Violet (UV) rays as well.

This same radiation that damages skin can also increase your risk of developing eye problems, such as cataracts--a clouding of the eye's lens which develops over years. Sunglasses are no longer a simple fashion accessory but a health conscious necessity. Sunglasses are a vital, and often under-appreciated part of eye care in the outdoor environment.

Legend has it that sunglasses originated in China and were created by tinting glass lenses with smoke from open fires. As far back as the fifteenth century, Chinese judges wore these tinted lenses so as not to reveal partiality when examining evidence place before them.

However, sunglasses really came into their own during World War II, when fighter pilots made good use of them as they flew in the bright, cloudless skies. The sunglasses (aviator glasses today) allowed them to see objects in the sky that otherwise would have been difficult to spot due to the glare of sun.

According to eye experts, the correct pair of sunglasses is the best defense against cataracts, macular degeneration and cancerous growths on the eye and eyelid--the three leading causes of vision loss. Everyone is at risk for eye damage from the sun year-round. The risk is greatest from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fishermen, farmers, skiers, beach-goers and others who spend extended periods of time in the full sun are at highest risk.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight comes in two parts--UVA and UVB, and your sunglasses should block both forms. Do not assume that you get more UV protection with more expensive glasses or those with a darker tint. Look for a label that specifically states that the glasses offer 99 percent to 100 percent UV protection.

With the sunglass industry becoming a $5 billion global market, it is certainly not a one-size (or style) fits all market. There is a huge number of designs from which to choose. First, think about comfort and fit--particularly around the bridge of the nose and the earpiece, the two main contact points of any pair of glasses.

Next, consider the lenses, especially tint and shape. Sunglasses should be dark enough to reduce glare, but not dark enough to distort colors and affect the recognition of traffic signals. Tint in primarily a matter of personal preference. And people who wear contact lenses which offer UV protection should still wear sunglasses.

Discover why there is an actual difference between sunglasses costing $9.95 at your local discount store and those $200 Serengetis. The difference is more than just price! The key to finding your perfect pair of sunglasses is to pick the right features for your needs. Things to consider or compare when you are buying sunglasses include: lens material, lens quality, special lens coatings, frame design, and frame material. If you want to pay an additional cost, you can also shop for brand name sunglasses like Black Flys, Bolle or Eyehawk.

In addition to protecting your eyes from damaging UV rays, fashion and image often play a role in the selection of sunglasses. From Jack Nicholson in "Easy Rider" to Tom Cruise, in "just about everything," sunglasses have become part of our fashion statements. Gadgets that hide the eyes seem to make the wearer more exotic, mysterious and alluring.

About the Author

Larry Denton is a retired history teacher having taught 33 years at Hobson High in Hobson, Montana. He is currently Vice President of Elfin Enterprises, an Internet business providing information and valuable resources on a variety of timely topics. For a sunroom full of information, resources and advice about sun glasses, visit http://www.SunGlassesShack.com