For fashion flair, sunglasses are hard to beat. Who can forget the "Top Gun" hunks in their Ray-Bans? Or Audrey Hepburn peering insouciantly over her too-big shades in "Breakfast at Tiffany's"?
Aside from adding zest to any ensemble as a stylish accessory, the right sunglasses can protect your eyes from potentially harmful ultraviolet rays that can irritate the cornea and even produce cataracts with prolonged exposure.There are three types of ultraviolet rays. A good pair of sunglasses meets criteria set by the American National Standards Institute, which requires that lenses absorb 100 percent of ultraviolet B and ultraviolet C rays. ANSI standards also call for absorption of ultraviolet A rays at least equal to or better than the absorption of visible light.
In other words, the best sunglasses block out 99 to 100 percent of all ultraviolet light.
Pat Shaw, manager of Knighton Optical at Fashion Place Mall in Murray, said local consumers are well-informed and regularly ask about vision protection.
"Ultraviolet radiation is the biggest concern for anybody. It has been linked to premature cataracts, so the sooner you can get some protection in front of your eyes, the better off you'll be in the long run," Shaw said.
How do you pick a good pair of sunglasses?
"The gauge we have in the industry is that anything less than $30 is really, in my opinion, not considered a good-quality pair of sunglasses," Shaw said. "We don't carry anything that doesn't protect you 100 percent."
The higher-priced lenses have the ultraviolet filter inside the lenses themselves, rather than a coating that can be scratched off, he said.
Name-brand shades usually mean good quality, with Ray-Ban, Serengetti, Suncloud and Mira leading the pack, Shaw said.
Lenses made by Bausch & Lomb are particularly well regarded because they undergo such rigorous testing. "They pride themselves on quality lenses. They grind and polish every lens so there are no optical imperfections or aberrations to bother the vision," Shaw said.
Optical experts recommend green, gray, brown and brown/amber lenses to retain sharp vision and reduce the distortion of colors. Good-quality gray lenses don't distort colors at all.
It's also a good idea to get shatter-proof lenses.
As for styles, Salt Lake-area residents seem to have wide-ranging tastes and like a large selection.
Nationally, there are a few distinct trends.
"Sunglasses are becoming smaller and more refined," said Pam McGannon, assistant account executive with Epaulette and Associates, which represents Ray-Ban.
"The shapes are smaller and they're not just round, there are variations," McGannon said. "Wire frames are increasingly more important and popular, offering a broader selection of shapes and looks."
Another new look is the European-influenced Vogue Firenze line that features wire-rimmed sunglasses with intricate filigree or foil work on the bridges, temples and eye wires. Tortoise-shell frames are gaining ground as well.
And McGannon said the classic aviator look is still as sought-after as ever. "It's one of the most popular styles."
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Look well and look good
What to look for: Smooth, polished lenses, because imperfections can cause eye strain.
How to tell: In a store, hold the glasses so a fluorescent light is reflected on an inside lens. If you can see waves or wiggles, choose another pair.
Best lens colors: Gray, green, brown/amber and brown, with lenses dark enough so that you can't easily see your eyes in a mirror.
When in doubt: Read tags or manufacturer's literature. Quality glasses will provide such information as the amount of rays absorbed.
- From Bausch & Lomb