Features such as  broad spectrum protection, lens color, frame shape and fit are all important to properly benefiting from their protection.  Also, you can determine whether you could benefit from sunglasses with polarized lenses.

Protect your eyes!
Your eyes need protection from ultra violet light. There are damage risks for eyes such as cataracts, degeneration of the retina, and even sunburn. The eye area skin is exceptionally delicate and can also suffer burn and irritation.

Protect Your Kids' eyes too...Even more vulnerable than adult eyes, are children's eyes. Children up to fourteen years of age, are three times as vulnerable to UV ray damage. Make sure they have proper sun protection daily, including sunglasses. * Sunglasses, in addition to minimum SPF 15, long sleeves and a wide brimmed hat, are a recommended sun protection by the American Dermatology Association.

Type in kids sunglasses and get a great selection with price comparisons and reviews.

  Here are some tips on choosing sunglasses:

Sunglasses do need are a number of specific sun protection features to maximize your eyes' protection.

According to the American Optometry Association, sunglasses need to:

1   Block out 99-100 percent of UVA/ UVB radiation.
Tip- Look for label identifying UV protection

2   Screen out *75-90 percent of visible light (*fashion tinted lenses usually do not meet this level).

3   Be perfectly matched in color and free of distortion and imperfection.
Tip- Test lenses for distortion/ imperfections by viewing a straight edge at arms length. You should continue to see a straight edge without any curve or distortion.

4   Have lenses that are gray, green, or brown (gray is recommended).
Tip- these cut the glare without trading off good vision

Sunglasses should also cover the eye area. 

Even better, they should wrap around the eye area and hug the face, preventing UV light from entering the eye area from above, beside, and below.

Personal favorite, Oakley brand cover and protect the eye area well with their wrap around frame style.  Oakley Jackets are light, hug the face and stay in place when you're on the move.  Because the frame style wraps around your eye area, you do not get glare cutting in from the top, sides or bottom.  In addition, I have experienced excellent customer service over the years (I have managed to hold on to my original pair since 1996).  

Do you need polarized sunglasses (and what are they anyway)?

Polarized sunglasses dramatically cut glare.  They have lenses with vertically oriented polarizers that act to cut the horizontally polarized glare that comes off long, flat reflective surfaces i.e.. water, road, car hood.  (resource allaboutvision.com)

If you are someone who could really benefit from wearing  a polarized pair, you spend a lot of time on the water, on the road etc., consider these high quality products ;

If you love look of designer glasses, there are many very stylish yet protectively sound, high quality sunglasses.

Fashion and Function Bonus: Wrap around feature also happens to be in style...There are some gorgeous designer sunglasses combining function and fashion by Christian Dior, Versace and Tom Ford (for example).

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