Owning a good pair of sunglasses can really make a significant difference in how you look. They give you that extra glamour and sophistication to any outfit combination. However, we all know very well about the damaging effects that UV rays have on the eyes. Therefore, having eyewear that provides utmost protection from the sun is essential for eye health.
Thanks to advanced technology, we have a wide spectrum of glasses that can cater to different individual needs to ensure optimal protection. And the best thing about glasses? – They are just the perfect blend of style, fashion, and good sun protection. Explore available options and find a pair of sunglasses online from some of the biggest names in the fashion world like Ray Ban, Oakley, Maui Jim, Prada, Michael Kors, Versace, and many more.
Understanding Lens Categories: Find What Works Best For You
Have you ever wondered what the numbers on sunglasses mean? Those numbers serve to identify suitability for various lighting conditions. Ranging from 0 to 4, each category represents the percentage of Visible Light Transmission (VLT), which indicates how much light gets through the lens into our eyes.
So, let’s say you’re looking at category 0 which is a clear or very light-tinted lens. This means that those lenses have the highest VLT percentage. The higher the VLT percentage, the brighter the lens and vice versa. The lower the VLT, the darker the lenses, thus, blocking more light coming through the glasses.
Lens categories serve to help you find the right tint for various light conditions. This is something to keep in mind when searching for sunglasses online and checking the range of categories the seller offers.
Category 0: Clear or Very Lightly Tinted Lenses
The glasses that fall into category 0 have typically transparent lenses or are very lightly tinted. Due to their low almost non-existent tint, this type of lens is not suitable for strong and bright sunlight.
These glasses are appropriate for indoor use or low-light conditions where the sun is not that bright. Also, due to the lack of tint, these lenses ensure optimal visibility in areas where you don’t need to worry about direct sunlight.
Category 1: Lightly Tinted Lenses
Category 1 lenses are lightly tinted, and offer a bit higher protection from bright sunlight than category 0 lenses. The optimal conditions for wearing these glasses are when the weather is cloudy so there is not strong and bright light.
Although they have somewhat improved glare reduction compared to category 0, they, however, do not ensure adequate protection from glare in bright sunlight.
Category 2: Medium-Tinted Lenses
Lenses in category 2 have slightly more tint to them than those from category 1, which means they do offer decent protection in average sunlight conditions. These sunglasses are best to wear during early spring and late autumn since UV radiation is typically much lower during those seasons.
But they are also ideal to wear during hikes, walkings, casual sports or any activity where you need good visibility but still benefit from the protection against UV. Just keep in mind that they may not offer sufficient protection against intense sunlight.
Category 3: Dark-Tinted Lenses
Category 3 lenses are the most common ones you can find that offer optimal protection in bright sunlight. These types of glasses are ideal for the Australian scorching sun since they have darkly tinted lenses, significantly reducing the glare.
You can wear them for most outdoor activities from hiking, and water sports, to strolls around the city and whenever you’re out under the bright sun for an extended period. These types of lenses are especially important to help you stay safe at the beach where the sun can become too strong. However, due to their higher tint, they might not be the best eyewear for low-light conditions.
Category 4: Very Dark-Tinted Lenses
Category 4 lenses offer the highest protection from strong sunlight. They are the darkest lenses out of all other categories and are the most appropriate extra-bright conditions. Such activities can be hiking at high altitudes or through the desert, sailing in the open sea where the glare effect in the water can be too strong, and anywhere where the sun is very intense.
However, these types of lenses are not appropriate for driving or casual activities as it can be hard to see through them in low-light environments. So, what category is best for sunglasses then? That will depend mostly on the weather conditions and the activities you need the glasses for.
For indoor or low-light conditions where optimal visibility is needed, most glasses from category 0-2 will work the best. But once you step out under the scorching sun, category 3 and 4 lenses will offer the best protection. Just keep in might that the 3 and 4 categories are not suitable for deficient light conditions.
Maximise Eye Protection: Look for Sunglasses With 100% UV Protection
The UV protection in glasses is paramount for preserving eye health. The lenses’ primary function is to protect you from the sun, after all. That’s why always make sure that the glasses state that they offer 100% UV protection.
Even if the glasses state that they fall into categories 0, 1 or 2, they can still offer 100% UV protection, regardless of the category. The category is more relevant to protection against strong and bright sunlight, but not protection against UV.
