These UV rays -- including UVA and especially UVB -- can damage the surface tissue of the eye, the cornea, and the lens. Over time, this damage can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration, and other vision-stealing eye diseases. To help keep your eyes healthy, keep these tips in mind when shopping for sunglasses.

When buying sunglasses, make sure they have a label or sticker that says they offer 100% UV protection from all UV rays. Some manufacturers' labels say "UV absorption up to 400nm". This is the same as 100% UV absorption.

When looking for sunglasses, don't make the mistake of thinking that darker lenses are safer for your eyes. Only sunglasses with 100% UV protection can provide the safety you need.

Polarized lenses are designed to reduce glare from reflective surfaces such as water or roads. Polarized light itself does not provide UV protection. Instead, it provides a better visual experience for certain activities such as driving, boating, or golfing. Polarized lenses are made of UV-blocking substances. Check the labels on polarized sunglasses to make sure they offer maximum UV protection.

You can check if the lenses of your over-the-counter sunglasses are made correctly by following these steps:

1. Look at something with a rectangular pattern, like a tile floor.

2. Keep glasses at a comfortable distance from your face and cover one eye.

3. Slowly move the glasses left and right, then up and down to see through the lenses.

4. If the rectangular line stays straight, the lens is fine. If the lines are wavy or wobbly (especially in the center of the shot), try another pair.

Sunglasses should have the largest possible lenses to protect your eyes from sun damage. Consider buying oversized or wraparound sunglasses to limit UV rays from entering the sides of your glasses.

Sunglasses with colored lenses (like amber or gray) don't block more sunlight. However, brown or rose lenses can provide more contrast. Athletes who play sports like golf or baseball often find this contrast enhancement useful.

A mirror finish is a thin metallic coating on regular sunglasses lenses. While they do reduce the amount of visible light entering your eyes, never assume they will completely protect you from UV radiation.

Again, keep in mind that while dark lenses may look cool, they won't necessarily block more UV rays.

In the United States, all sunglasses must meet the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) impact safety standards. While no lens is truly unbreakable, plastic lenses are less likely than glass lenses to shatter when hit by a stone or ball. Most over-the-counter sunglasses lenses are made of some kind of plastic. 

For sports, polycarbonate plastic sunglasses are particularly tough, but they can scratch easily without a coating. Polycarbonate lenses usually have a scratch-resistant coating.

Sunglasses don't have to be expensive to be safe and effective. Drugstore sunglasses marked with 100% UV protection are a better choice than designer store sunglasses without protection.

Regular sunglasses cannot protect your eyes from certain light sources. These include snow and arc welding. These extreme exposure situations require special lens filters. Also, sunglasses won't protect you if you look directly at the sun, including during an eclipse, so it's a no-no!

Looking at any of these light sources without proper eye protection can lead to a serious and painful condition called photokeratitis. It can even damage your retina, causing permanent loss of your central vision. Ask your ophthalmologist to recommend appropriate eye protection for the particular situation.

Some people wonder if old sunglasses can still protect your eyes from UV rays. Research has not directly answered the question of whether UV protection will disappear over time. But you can test your sunglasses. Just take your sunglasses to an optician with a UV light meter to check the protection level.

The above describes how to choose the right sunglasses. If you have any questions or want to buy sunglasses, please contact us.

ZOHO is a custom eyewear and frame manufacturer with 15 years of experience. We have an experienced R&D team that develops 10000+ new original eyewear designs every year, through OEM and ODM services, we have more styles for quick customization, a quick selection system to place orders, and fast delivery.