Sunglasses - Not Just A Fashion Statement

Earliest History

Since prehistoric times, until the modern-day spread of contemporary UV-shielding spectacles, Inuit people have made and worn snow goggles of flattened walrus or caribou ivory with narrow slits to look through. These snow goggles block almost all of the harmful reflected rays of the sun. In many different forms, and with many different materials, the indigenous peoples of North America, and of northern Asia, crafted highly efficient equipment to protect their eyes against the damaging effects of strong reflected sunlight in icy climates.

Visual Clarity, Comfort, Health

Sunglasses can improve your visual comfort, and your visual clarity, by protecting your eyes from glare. For example, various types of disposable sunglasses are dispensed to patients after receiving mydriatic eye drops during eye examinations.

The lenses of polarized sunglasses reduce glare reflected at some angles off shiny non-metallic surfaces, such as water, ice, and snow. They allow wearers to see into water when only surface glare would otherwise be seen. They also eliminate glare from a road surface when driving into the sun.

Sunglasses offer protection against excessive exposure to light, including its visible and invisible components. This can be important for good eye health.

The most widespread protection is against ultraviolet radiation, which can cause short-term and long-term ocular problems such as photokeratitis (snow blindness), cataracts, pterygium, and various forms of eye cancer.

Medical experts advise the public on the importance of wearing sunglasses to protect the eyes from UV (ultra-violet) light. For adequate protection, experts recommend sunglasses that reflect or filter out 99% or more of UVA and UVB light, with wavelengths up to 400 nm. Sunglasses that meet this requirement are often labeled as "UV400".

Protecting his eyes from exposure due to exophthalmos, sunglasses have become the trademark of German singer Heino ger1axg, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia CommonsSunglasses General Information

Since the 1930s, sunglasses have been a popular fashion accessory. This is especially true on the beach, or by the pool, where they do double duty as both fashion statement and eye protection.

The American Optometric Association recommends wearing sunglasses that block ultraviolet radiation (UV), whenever a person is in the sunlight, to protect the eyes from UV and blue light. These can cause several serious eye problems.

Sunglass usage is mandatory immediately after some surgical procedures, such as LASIK, and recommended for a certain time period in dusty areas, when leaving the house and in front of a TV screen or computer monitor after LASEK.

It is important to note that dark glasses that do not block UV radiation can be more damaging to the eyes than not wearing eye protection at all, since they tend to open the pupil and allow more UV rays into the eye.

Artist Elize Ryd wearing sunglasses as part of her costume for the Tuska Open Air Metal Festival. Cecil, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Fashion Statement

Fashion trends can be another reason for wearing sunglasses, particularly designer sunglasses from high-end fashion brands. Sunglasses of particular shapes may be in vogue as a fashion accessory.

The relevance of sunglasses within the fashion industry has included prominent fashion editors' reviews of annual trends in sunglasses as well as runway fashion shows featuring sunglasses as a primary or secondary component of a look.

Fashion trends can also draw on the "cool" image of sunglasses and association with a particular lifestyle, especially the close connection between sunglasses and beach life. In some cases, this connection serves as the core concept behind an entire brand.

Whatever the reason you wear sunglasses, you will find some awesome choices here!

Source: Wikipedia