With the arrival of warmer, sunnier days, it's important to remember that sunglasses are not just a fashion accessory, but also an important item for the health of our eyes. As well as protecting against ultraviolet (UV) rays, they prevent eyestrain and help prevent eye diseases.

But with so many models and options on the market, how do you choose the right sunglasses? Remember that choosing the ideal pair of sunglasses should be done carefully, taking into account UV protection factors, lens color, materials, side protection, age and what situations you want them for.

From what age should you wear sunglasses?

The damage to the eyes caused by ultraviolet rays can be acute (for example, when we go out into the snow without protective goggles), but the most important damage is cumulative throughout life. And they start in childhood, when the lens is less pigmented and filters UV radiation less and when pupils are generally more dilated than those of adults. Therefore, protection must be even more rigorous than in adults. In fact, no one would accept a child being exposed to the sun without skin protection. Why should we accept them being in the sun without protecting their eyes? It is essential that sunglasses are worn from an early age. They should also be chosen that are suitable for their age, comfortable and safe. Babies and young children should wear glasses with flexible, durable lenses that don't break easily.

What do sunglasses protect against?

When choosing a pair of sunglasses, make sure they offer protection against ultraviolet (UV) rays. These invisible and dangerous rays can cause eye damage, in particular by promoting the appearance of pterygium (a tissue that grows on the cornea, the transparent part at the front of our eye), eyelid and conjunctival tumors, acute photokeratitis, cataracts and possibly age-related macular degeneration. So choose glasses that offer 100% protection against UV rays. Remember, it's not the fact that the lenses are dark that protects your eyes. It's the fact that they have protection against ultraviolet rays.

Does the color of the lenses matter?

The color of sunglasses lenses is not important for ultraviolet protection. It's important for the quality of vision in different situations in our lives. It can affect the way we see the world around us. Gray lenses are excellent options for more natural, everyday vision. They provide more natural color vision (they don't alter colors) without increasing contrast. They are great for activities in general.

Green lenses are equally good for practically all situations, whether it's sunny or rainy. They also offer good visual comfort and provide better color contrast. Orange lenses are more suitable for sports, such as cycling, golf, soccer and on cloudy days. It is important to bear in mind that these lenses are not suitable for activities that require good color identification. Yellow lenses are useful for low-light and foggy environments. They can increase contrast and improve depth perception. They are good for use in night-time activities but also for people who spend a lot of time working on computers, as they can help reduce eye strain caused by the blue light emitted by screens. Blue lenses are recommended for a variety of situations, such as in very bright places like the beach, on very sunny days and in snowy places (with lots of lighting), as they improve the color ratio and offer UV protection. Pink or red lenses, on the other hand, can be good for outdoor sports activities, as they reduce glare and visual fatigue.

And are all the materials the same?

When it comes to sunglasses lens materials, there are several options available on the market, each with its own characteristics and advantages. Glass: resistant and offers excellent optical quality, but can be heavy and brittle. In addition, they are not as efficient at blocking UV rays as other materials. Acrylic: this is a light and impact-resistant material, but it can scratch easily. Acrylic lenses are a more economical option compared to other materials. Polycarbonate: this is a lightweight and highly impact-resistant material, making it an excellent choice for glasses for sports or outdoor activities and for children. In addition, polycarbonate lenses offer superior UV protection and are less prone to scratching than acrylic lenses, but more so than glass or polyurethane lenses. Polyurethane: this is a lightweight, impact-resistant and highly flexible material, which makes it a comfortable option for spectacle lenses. They are lighter and thinner than polycarbonate lenses and offer sharper, clearer vision than polycarbonate lenses, as well as being more resistant to scratches and breakage or impact than polycarbonate lenses. But they are also more expensive as a rule.

Is side protection important?

It's important to choose glasses that offer adequate side protection for your specific situation. In work or sports situations it is particularly important to ensure that the glasses offer adequate side protection to protect the eyes from possible injury. Some safety glasses, such as those worn by construction workers, have integrated side protection, and many sports sunglasses (for example, for snow) also feature a larger cover around the eyes to ensure protection against reflected sunlight and other environmental hazards.

Regardless of the material you choose, remember that UV protection is a crucial factor when choosing sunglasses lenses. Make sure the lenses offer 100% protection against UVA and UVB rays to keep your eyes safe and healthy. Also, take into account your specific usage needs, such as sporting activities or lifestyle, when choosing the ideal material for your sunglasses lenses.