Sunglasses are essential for protecting your eyes against the sun’s glare and sun damage. They are also a statement about your individual style.
At VistaSite Eye Care in Harlem, New York, we offer patients a wide selection of the very best in sunglass wear, to ensure everyone can find a pair that works for them. To help you make your choice, here is a guide to finding the perfect pair of sunglasses that fit your fashion, corrective vision, and sun protection needs.
The main job of a good pair of sunglasses is to shield your eyes from the glare of the sun and to protect them against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. This distinction is key, as these protections are different, and you need to make sure your sunglasses are equipped to do double-duty.
Go for 100% UV protection, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Most sunglasses these days offer both glare and UV protection. Still, it never hurts to check.
Among your first decisions is deciding what shape and frame style you want. There are a number of fashion rules when it comes to selecting the most flattering sunglass shape for your face.
Start by considering a shape that is opposite of your face. For example, if you have a square face, look for a frame style that’s more rounded because a square-on-square effect magnifies your shape instead of complementing it.
Next, spend time evaluating proportion. While you don’t want your glasses to swallow your face, you do want to be sure that you have enough protection around your eyes. Tiny frames with small lenses are not particularly effective in keeping the sun out. Aesthetically, the opposite is true. Oversized frames that hide over 30% of your face are generally overpowering and detract from your face.
As for frame style, this decision is a personal one. If you keep your sunglasses on top of your head while you’re not using them, sunglasses with nose grips may be uncomfortable, pulling your hair every time you remove them. If you’re highly active, invest in a durable frame that can withstand the rigors of outdoor adventure.
If fashion is your primary drive when it comes to frame style, VistaSite Eye Care has you covered. We carry a wide range of the most popular current as well as retro styles, from aviators to the square black frames iconic of the 1980s.
Sunglasses are an investment, especially if you need a pair with corrective lenses. That said, be sure to choose a trendy frame that won’t go out of style by next season. Those black square frames of the 1980s have stood the test of time, but plenty of other styles have fallen quickly out of favor (remember those enormous sunglasses with the swooping stems mounted on the lower corners).
Consider the lines of aviators and basic round or square frames that will give you years of both practical and fashionable use.
Once you’ve selected your frame, it’s time to select the color of your lens. The best way to do this is to simply try out each color. Typically, sunglass lenses come in shades of gray, green, blue, and even red.
Be sure to step outside and take a look around. Bring a couple of lenses outside for comparison, as lens color affects how you see the world.
We invite you to come and pursue our array of sunglasses. We look forward to helping you find the perfect pair of sunglasses and with all of your eye care needs.
