Sunglasses are an essential accessory throughout the year since solar radiation can affect our visual health in any season, not just in summer. In addition, sunglasses can round out any look and make it perfect.
However, there are many types of sunglasses out there and it's easy to feel a little overwhelmed when it comes time to pick out new ones. If choosing glasses according to your face is already quite a search, imagine if you also have to take into account the color of the lenses and the types of filters.
At Manha Eyewear, we want to help you make the best decision, both aesthetically and for your health, so we come with some advice on what types of sunglasses exist and what lenses you should choose.
Types of sunglasses according to the type of lens:
Surely you have heard the terms we list below more than once. Sunglass lenses can be of different types and each of them has some particular properties and advantages :
- Polarized sunglasses: What sets polarized lenses apart is their ability to block reflected light and let only useful light through, minimizing reflections. In this way, the vision is clearer and more contrasted. The advantages of polarized sunglasses are very evident in water sports.
- Mirror sunglasses: When light reaches these types of sunglasses, it bounces off the mirrored lens and does not hit the eyes. That is why they are the most common in winter and water sports.
- Lenses with anti-reflective coating on the inside: It is a glass treatment that can be applied to any type of lens. It is done to reduce lateral reflections and prevent light from dazzling.
- Photochromic sunglasses: This type of sunglasses adapt the darkness of the lens to the amount of light they perceive.
Types of sunglasses according to the color of the glass:
Following trends in sunglasses is great for finding your style. But there is something you should keep in mind and that is that the color of the lenses of the sunglasses goes beyond pure aesthetics.
Different colors affect your vision differently :
- Brown glass glasses: If you practice outdoor sports, we recommend this type of sunglasses. Brown lenses improve contrast and reduce eye strain. We would also recommend this color for nearsighted people.
- Gray lens glasses: The most common types of sunglasses have gray lenses. They are versatile, do not alter colors and can be worn on any occasion.
- Green glass glasses: These lenses are especially recommended for people with farsightedness. The perception of colors is hardly altered and they are good crystals for when there is little light.
- Yellow or orange lens glasses: These lenses are not the most suitable for sunglasses because they increase contrast and brightness. Therefore, they work well in conditions of poor visibility, such as fog or blizzard, but on sunny days we will have discomfort due to the high luminosity.
- Pink, purple or blue glass glasses: In this case, these types of sunglasses have a purely aesthetic effect. These colors do not improve contrast or affect luminosity, although they can alter the perception of colors.
Types of sunglasses according to the light filter:
The light filter refers to the amount of sunlight that different types of sunglasses let through. That is, the light filter determines how dark the lenses of the glasses are.
- Category 0: This type of glass allows between 100% and 80% of light to pass through. They are very clear crystals.
- Category 1: They allow around 70% of light to pass through. They are a little darker than the previous ones, but are not recommended for very bright days.
- Category 2: This type of sunglasses lens has a medium darkness. They filter between 50% and 80% of sunlight.
- Category 3: In this case, the glasses are darker and allow 80 to 90% of sunlight to be filtered. They are recommended for very sunny days and long exposures. Usually the most used in sunglasses.
- Category 4: They filter up to 98% of light, being the most recommended for long exposures in high mountains and practicing water sports. Not indicated for driving.
What are the best lenses for the Sun?
With all the above information, you will be able to choose the types of sunglasses that best suit each situation, as you need them. There is no single lens that is better than the others, but for different occasions, some lenses will work better than others.
Of course, there is one factor that is crucial and that you should demand from all your sunglasses, no matter what type they are: They must be UV 400 sunglasses.
The UV 400 protection filter is the element that protects your eyes against UV radiation (UVA rays and UVB rays), blocking more than 99% of it.
It is very important to understand that the absorption of the light filters mentioned above and the UV 400 filter are two different characteristics. While the absorption of the filters affects the “visible” rays, that is, the amount of light we perceive and that causes discomfort, the UV 400 filter prevents the “invisible” rays from reaching the eyes and causing damage to the eyes. long-term visual health.
To know if sunglasses have a UV 400 filter, you only need to check the label. Sunglasses from specialized opticians will always have this protection. On the other hand, the ones you find in beach bars or bazaars will probably not be the right type of sunglasses.