How to Pick Sunglasses

By Abigail L. Cuffey

How to Pick Sunglasses
How to Pick Sunglasses

The sun can do serious damage to your eyes, raising your risk of sight-robbing conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration. Here's how to pick sunglasses that truly protect.

1. Scrutinize labels. There's no industry standard for UV labels, so it's hard to know if they're accurate, says Madeline L. Romeu, OD, UV advisor for the American Optometric Association. The safest bet: Pick sunglasses that say "99% or 100% ultraviolet blocking," instead of just "UV protection."

2. Go dark. If you look in a mirror and can easily see your eyes through the lenses, the glasses probably won't block enough light.

3. Fit matters. Make sure the frames aren't too loose. If they slide down your nose, damaging sunlight will stream in from the top and sides.

4. If possible, go to a pro. It costs a little more, but buying from an eyeglass shop (such as LensCrafters) instead of a stand in the mall means a technician can check the UV protection capabilities of the lenses as well as the fit of the glasses.

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