The use of sunglasses should not be dictated only by fashion or aesthetic factors, we must keep in mind their function.
When we are about to choose a pair of sunglasses we must pay attention first of all to their quality, making sure that they display the European quality mark "CE" and therefore the lenses are suitable for filtering solar radiation and that they have an anti-allergic frame. Later, regarding the lens, the right color and intensity will be evaluated, based on the age of the person who uses them and on any visual defects if there are any.
In light of this, it will be necessary to always turn to qualified personnel, present exclusively in optical shops, who will be able to recommend the right glasses considering the multiple factors. Therefore, stalls, markets and other points of sale that do not deal exclusively with the sale of products related to the optical and ophthalmological field are to be excluded.
Buying non-approved sunglasses can cause serious injuries such as early cataracts, keratitis (corneal inflammation), conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva layer of the eye), dry eyes and the most common consequences such as discomfort, dizziness and headaches. Unfortunately, these eye injuries are progressive, they do not appear immediately and we often arrive late to discover the consequences.
The main purpose of sunglasses is to filter ultraviolet and infrared radiation, which hits the eyes and reduce the glare caused by solar rays in order to have a clear and comfortable vision. Therefore, getting help in the choice from a professional is essential for the correct evaluation of the lenses to wear, since each eye is different as well as the effects that the sun can have on it.
Bearing in mind that 50% of the UV radiation we are exposed to during our lifetime occurs before the age of 18, particular attention should be paid to children, for whom it is recommended to use dark lenses with 100% UV protection, possibly polarized, and an ergonomic silicone frame starting from the age of three months.
By not protecting our little ones’ eyes properly, short-term damage can include keratitis or sunburn, which children experience with symptoms of pain, photophobia, or redness of the eyes. Long-term damage can be more serious, in the form of degenerative corneal lesions and acute retinal changes, which can permanently affect vision.
Let's now move on to the color of the lens, recommended above all based on the visual defects of those who buy the glasses. Certain colors in fact, having different wavelengths from each other, are focused on the retina, sooner rather than later, so some are more restful than others. Brown lenses, for example, are particularly suitable for those who have myopia problems, and those of the gray-green axis, indicated instead for those who have a visual defect such as hyperopia. Both do not distort colors and protect well from intense light. Finally, it is important to underline that non-approved sunglasses, in addition to not protecting our eyes, favor the onset of pathologies and permanent lesions.
It is absolutely not enough to verify that the glasses have a very dark lens, as some mistakenly believe. Paradoxically, a very dark lens without ultraviolet protection is even worse than a completely clear one, because the latter at least leaves room for visible light and therefore allows the pupil constriction mechanism. A dark lens will instead tend to reduce the pupil constriction by letting many more ultraviolet rays pass, with evidently negative and harmful results.
To overcome this problem, which is more serious than you might think, the best defense is to only buy sunglasses from a reputable optician, never trusting products that are clearly counterfeit or that are offered at very advantageous prices; it is clear that, in this type of saving, the quality of the product is the first parameter to be sacrificed.