Sunglasses: More than just a stylish accessory

Sunglasses are not only fashionable companions, but above all important helpers to protect our eyes. They shield the sensitive organs from harmful UV radiation and thus ensure comfortable vision even when the sun is shining. But which sunglasses are right for me? What types are there and what should you look out for when buying them? This article will tell you everything you need to know about sunglasses.
Sunglasses - a variety of shapes for every tastePhoto: Dsiss

Sunglasses - a variety of shapes for every taste

The world of sunglasses is diverse and offers the right model for every taste. Whether round, square, oval or aviator style - the shapes of sunglasses are almost endless.

• Classic shapes
  Round sunglasses flatter almost every face type, while angular models can compensate for angular facial features.
• Trendige Formen
  Aviator sunglasses are timelessly elegant, while cat-eye glasses add a feminine touch to women's sunglasses.
• Sporty shapes
  Sports glasses offer optimum support and protection during training, while glacier glasses are suitable for extreme light conditions on the mountain.

Lens tints: The right tint for every situation

In addition to the shape, the tint of the lenses also plays an important role.

• Tint levels: The tint categories range from 0 (almost colorless) to 4 (very dark).
• Colors: Sunglasses are available in many different colors. Brown and gray lenses are the most common, while red or yellow lenses can enhance contrasts.
• Special lenses: Polarized lenses reduce annoying glare, self-tinting lenses automatically adjust to the light conditions.

Choice of material: Plastic, metal or wood?

Sunglasses are made from different materials, each of which has advantages and disadvantages.

• Plastic: Plastic sunglasses are lightweight, inexpensive and available in many colors.
•  Metal: Metal glasses look elegant and high-quality, but can be somewhat heavier.
• Wood: Wooden sunglasses are a sustainable and trendy accessory.

What to look out for when buying sunglasses?

Look for the CE mark and the “UV 400” label. This guarantees that the glasses protect your eyes from UV radiation. Caution: A model with dark lenses but without UV protection is more dangerous than you might think. The lenses shield the visible light, which causes the pupils to dilate. However, the UV rays continue to reach the eyes unhindered, so that a greater amount of harmful light penetrates through the dilated pupils.

The lenses of sunglasses should be scratch-resistant and shatterproof. And, of course, they should fit comfortably and not slip. The lenses should not have any streaks, bubbles or inclusions and should not give way in the frame when lightly pressed with a finger. 

Fully anti-reflective lenses minimize reflections that may be caused by light entering from the side or from above on the inside of the lens. In addition to the quality of the lenses, the design of the frame is also crucial. It is often wrongly assumed that sunlight only hits the glasses from the front. However, scattered light can also reach behind the lenses from above or from the side. Sufficiently wide temples and the right size for your face are therefore just as important. Sunglasses should be slightly wider than your face and higher than your eyebrows to ensure optimum protection.

The CE mark, which every pair of sunglasses sold in Europe must bear, provides information about the quality of the sunglasses. It is located on the inside of the temples and indicates that the model complies with current EU standards.