Although many people wear sunglasses primarily for fashion reasons, sunglasses were invented to serve as protection for the eyes against the harmful UV Rays produced by natural sunlight. There are three different types of Ultra Violet Radiation. UVC, UVA and UVB. UVC rays from the sun are mostly absorbed by the upper atmosphere (ozone layer) and there is no evidence to be concerned with them.

Temporary conditions include photokeratitis – sometimes called "sunburn of the eye" that may be painful and causes symptoms including red eyes, a gritty feeling that something is in your eyes, sensitivity to light and excessive watering. Serious conditions which can sometimes be irreversible include: contributing to the development of cataracts; pterigia (tissue growth on the surface of the eye); skin cancer around the eye; and potential damage to the retina (macular degeneration).

Numerous studies have concluded that people who wear sunglasses on a regular basis, were less likely to have cataracts later on in life. The effects of UV radiation are cumulative so the more your eyes are exposed to UV radiation, the greater the risk of developing conditions serious conditions. Sunglasses also protect the sensitive skin around your eyes from UV rays that cause wrinkles and premature aging.

The obvious reasons to put on a pair………

Quality sunglasses protect your eyes by blocking 100 percent of the sun's harmful UV rays.

Surfaces like water, snow, and even your car windshield can cause extremely bright reflections that can interfere with your vision and cause squinting. Sunglasses reduce glare for safer, more comfortable vision and polarized sunglasses are very effective at reducing glare from surface reflections.

Sunglasses block wind and this help keep your eyes from drying out. Sunglasses also help keep contact lenses from drying out and prevent windblown particles from potentially damaging your eyes.

From our elementary science days we learned that our pupils control how much light reaches our eyes. In dim light, the pupil increases in size (dilates) to allow more light in – and in bright light, the pupil constricts to keep out light. If it’s too bright, our pupils cannot constrict small enough to reduce light to a comfortable level and we squint - which can cause muscle fatigue, headaches and eyestrain.

When choosing a pair of sunglasses, the most important feature is protection from ultra violet rays. (100 % of all UV light or UV absorption up to 400nm means the same thing.)

Both plastic and glass lenses absorb some light, but the real protection comes from the chemicals and special coatings that are added to the lens material during the manufacturing process.

Quality sunglasses have lenses that are perfectly matched in color and free of distortion. Many people prefer Polarized lenses as they cut more reflected glare. The Polarization process has nothing to do with UV light absorption, as with other sunglasses, it is the special coatings that provide the UV protection.

Mirror coatings are thin layers of various metallic coatings applied to the lenses and further reduce the amount of visible light entering your eyes – but they must have the appropriate UV coatings. Further protection can be obtained by purchasing a “wraparound” frame style that will protect your eyes from all angles.

Gradient lenses are lenses that are shaded from top to bottom or from top and bottom toward the middle.

Photo chromatic lenses automatically darken in bright light and become lighter in low light. Although they are usually good UV-absorbent sunglasses – some people do not like the time it takes time for them to adjust to different light conditions.

No lens is truly unbreakable, but it is important you choose lenses that are “impact resistant”. Good quality plastic lenses (polycarbonate) are less likely than glass lenses to shatter and when treated with a scratch resistant coating provide excellent protection.

The tint on a pair of sunglasses is actually irrelevant to the UV protection that it offers. The main purposes of tints are to help enhance your vision in specific light conditions and make your viewing more comfortable. Darker tints will naturally let less light in during very bright conditions and reduce squinting. Tints are also chosen for their fashion appeal.

While the information below outlines specific features of the most popular tints – tint selection remains a very personal choice, as you will always find a difference in opinion as to what tint works best in specific light and environment conditions.

Clear: UV protection without color enhancement. Provides eye protection from the elements including wind, and dust. Ideal for extreme low light conditions; perfect for early / late day activity.Amber: a low light transmission color that increases contrast, and sharpens visual acuity and enhances depth perception; ideal for bright sun and overcast conditions.

Sunglasses are just important in the winter as they are during the rest of the year. UV rays from the sun are strong all year round - even if they don’t always feel that way on our faces and bodies. Add in the extremely reflective qualities of snow and its’ ability to impair vision and you have not only a comfort issue – but also a safety one. Simply wearing a good quality pair of sunglasses is an easy solution.

This seamless fusion of technology reflects the best of style, protection and quality.

• Monel Plus NFC. Stronger than steel, yet malleable, Monel alloy provides the ultimate in metal frame performance. Our SD-Nickle Free Coating is hypo-allergenic. The frames feature self-adjusting nose pads for ultimate comfort.

• Contact Point Performance and Comfort. Hydrophilic Megol compound nose pads and temple tips enable superior contact point adhesion and wick away moisture to prevent slippage and enhance comfort.