Sunglasses 101

The origins of sunglasses can be traced to early• Wearing glares projects a kind of
Roman times and 12th century China. Legends speakdetachment and blocks others from reading your
of Chinese judges wearing crystals to conceal theirface. The eyes are known to be the "windows of
thoughts when hearing cases. In the modern erathe soul".
sunglasses as we know them today are an• Blind people or those with squints wear
innovation of the 1900s. Inexpensive glasses weresunglasses so that others do not squirm at the sight
first mass produced in 1929 as Foster Grants.of their impairment.
Polarized glasses were introduced in 1936 and soon• Wearing sunglasses protects the eyes
became fashion statements.from problems like photokeratitis, snow blindness,
Sunglasses are more than a style statement. Theycataracts, pterygium, and eye cancers. In Europe and
have many properties in addition to making you lookother nations the mark CE on sunglasses indicates
and feel good.that the pair meets all quality regulations.
• Sunglasses protect your eyes from• Sunglasses can protect eyes from HEV or
harmful rays of the sun.high energy visible light. Wearing glasses can prevent
• They shade your eyes from excessiveage-related macular degeneration.
glare.• Sunglasses protect children from HEV as
• Numbered sunglasses help users seetheir ocular lenses transmit more light than adults.
better.• Sunglasses are also designed to protect
• Tints are beneficial for activities like fishing,the eyes from high impact in accidents. Although not
boating, and skiing.all sunglasses have this quality.
• Dark tinted sunglasses reduce eyestrain• Water sunglasses are specially
during long haul driving.manufactured to be worn during surfing, windsurfing,
• Coatings on sunglasses have anti-reflectivekiteboarding, wakeboarding, kayaking, jet skiing, and
properties.water skiing.
• They frame the face and give you a• Sadly sunglasses also help women and
distinctive look.children hide abuse.
• Sunglasses protect the eyes from dust• Sunglasses also protect eyes from harmful
and insects.rays that reach the earth during eclipses and other
• Sunglasses help hide emotions during grief.celestial events.
• High quality sunglasses prevent distortionThe above indicates that sunglasses are not just
of vision.fashion statements. They have several health
• Wearing sunglasses prevent air borne eyebenefits and play a major role in protecting the eye
infections.sight of people.
• Sunglasses protect eyes after eyeSunglasses are now a part of life and they are mass
treatment and surgery.produced too. One can buy designer glasses or mass
• Sunglasses protect eyes form strong lightsproduced ones made from a variety of materials.
used in filming and photo shoots. Many actors andPopular glasses are: Onassis glasses; Mirrorshades;
models wear sunglasses to protect their eyes fromAviators; Wayfarers; Teashades; and Glacier glasses.
the strong glare of lamps.In the modern world sunglasses can be bought from
• Sunglasses prevent face-to faceopticians, malls, and online stores. There are designer
communications and direct eye contact.stores and boutiques that sell high end sunglasses.