Friday, June 19, 2009

Sunglasses: No longer just for looking cool

by Melanie Cath
Sunglasses are a visual aid invented around the 12th century. At the time, they came with colored lenses to soften strong light and prevent it from coming in contact with the eyes. But over the years, sunglasses (also known as spectacles or shades) have evolved from just being practical solutions to the discomfort brought by the sun, to fashionable accessories. Now, as more and more people are becoming health conscious, sunglasses are slowly being regarded as, primarily, health gadgets again. After all, they were invented as such in the first place.
Price is not the only factor when choosing the right pair of sunglasses. Regardless of brand and price, the right pair of sunglasses should offer some level of eye protection. Guidelines in place in the USA state that effective sunglasses should block ultraviolet-B light (UVB) by 99% and ultraviolet-A light (UVA) by 95%. If the pair you choose has this level of ultraviolet protection, eye diseases like cataracts or macular degeneration can be prevented. So it is important to check the packaging of sunglasses for the level of protection they offer before you make your purchase. The said level can often be found indicated on the labels and leaflets, or on the stickers attached to the lenses themselves.
So before you buy the trendiest sunglasses being sported by the hottest celebrity of the moment, take time out to consider their real value. It is good to look fashionable but it is even better to have healthy eyes. Poor eyesight is totally not cool.

About the Author
Mel writes about sunglasses , pandora jewellery and other related topics.

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