Being that I am subject to wearing corrective lenses anytime I am driving, I know firsthand the importance of clear vision and quality optics while being behind the wheel. Having touched on the importance of annual optometrist exams in previous articles, I shift focus slightly now to vision protection and enhancement! Whether or not you require vision correction from glasses or contact lenses, there are simple ways to enhance and protect your vision with a good pair of glasses.
Recently I made the choice to switch back to prescription contact lenses for daily wear, which provided me the luxury of choosing non-prescription sunglasses of my choice. Having this new-found freedom, I began to do what I do best and research the heck out of which kind I should buy, which also gave me a glimpse into the many head-spinning options available when choosing a new pair of sunglasses to protect my eyes. With endless variations of lens colors, shapes and styles, the combinations seemed limitless. I set myself up with a few basic parameters to help narrow down my choices. I wanted superior UV protection, one pair driving/one pair not, a full-frame style lens, and lenses that were polarized.
Outstanding UV protection is a must with any sunglass choice in warding off the sun’s harmful effects on your eyes. After finding a brand that has superior UV protection and the full-frame style I wanted, I made sure to choose a nice amber lens to highlight things on the road while driving, then a darker gray lens for when I am wanting even more shade for my eyes without any highlighting effects. The final parameter of my search was initially something I set up purely for the fisherman in me! I have always known that polarized lenses cut glare by observing this while fishing, where fish become more visible while wearing them, as reflections off the water are reduced by glare reduction. Recently I discovered that when combined with my highlighting amber driving lens, that clarity can be enhanced with polarized lenses much more than I expected, allowing me to see things on the horizon I might otherwise have not. As you can see from the side-by-side comparison of these two pictures I took, my amber polarized lenses picked out easily a giant “dust devil” that might have barely been visible if at all to the naked eye!
Quality optics, even if non-prescription, can enhance and protect the eyes that you depend on day in and day out. Sunglasses to aid in the protection of your eyes can come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Whether you choose a trendy stylish pair or a sleek and sporty pair to protect your eyes, be sure to choose the best pair possible to aid in having to stare into those morning sunrises and afternoon sunsets through the office windshield!