Not just a fashion statement, sunglasses protect and reveal more about the world around you. Available in a wide range of colors and prices, sunglasses are designed to keep you comfortable to avoid squinting in bright sunlight and block damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV light is the main cause of cataracts, pinguecula (pinkish yellow growths on the whites of the eyes,) skin cancer of the eyelids, saggy skin, age spots, and wrinkles around the eyes. The clear lens and bigger pupils of children allow 70% more (UV) light to enter the eye, so sunglasses are even more critical for little ones.

When it comes to choosing the right color, mirror coating or tint for your sunglasses, the answer lies in your lifestyle. Which is best? The most popular tint, dark gray, is ideal for bright sun, snow, and beaches and won’t skew color perception. Adding a mirror finish to the front surface of the lens deflects more light to reduce your sensitivity.

Brown tint is ideal for medium-light or the “bright gray” days in the Pacific Northwest. It amplifies contrast between the grass and sky and is ideal for golfers.

Amber tints allow clearer vision through foggy winter days or rainy nights. They’re also popular with hunters for increased contrast in low light- to see that target or elk before they see you! When choosing the lens material, hunters are best protected by Phoenix (trivex) which is bulletproof.

For cyclists or motorcycle riders who want protection from bugs and wind, photochromic lenses can be ideal. They turn dark in the sun but remain clear in lower light, allowing you to travel lighter and avoid pulling over to switch glasses.

Lastly- polarized or not? Polarized sunglasses are ideal for cutting glare of the setting sun, reflections off a wet road, for fishermen seeing under the surface of the water, or for anyone who wants the clearest vision possible. They're not for pilots whose gauges also have polarized glass- and often cell phones have polarized glass which will make the screen look black in one direction.