Sunglasses are ubiquitous symbols of style, but they’re also important to protect your eyes. If you want to find the right pair of sunglasses for you, it helps to know what to look for while you shop, other than which shades express the true you aesthetically. Good looks are important, but there is more to know. There are heaps of different construction combinations to consider when choosing the right sunglasses, each providing unique benefits worth weighing before you buy. We can ignore looks though, so we’ll help you choose the sunglasses for your face shape and your style, too. Read on and shop using essential information from our experts.

Although there’s no way to deny how great you look in that killer pair of shades, there’s a real reason to wear them! On top of being an awesome fashion accessory, sunglasses protect you from various forms of ultraviolet (UV) light, increasing optical clarity in bright conditions while reducing the risk of damage to your eyes.

designer sunglasses are essential for people exposed to high levels of UV) light during activities like snowsports, watersports and driving in bright weather. When purchasing sunglasses, one of the most important things to look for is 100% UV protection. Even though the sun is 93 million miles away, the ultraviolet UV rays it emits can be a factor in causing cataracts, macular degeneration and growths on the eye, including cancer.

here are two types of UV light you need to look out for:

UVB Rays

These rays are super intense and are the primary cause of sunburns and cancer, and can be very hazardous to the eyes. UVB rays vary in intensity throughout the year and are much stronger in the summer months between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm – this is the time of year when the earth’s axial tilt is angled towards the sun, causing UVB rays to be more focused. Although UVB rays are more intense in the summer, they possess the capacity to burn or damage skin and eyes year-round, and their effect is amplified by snow.

UVA Rays

UVA rays account for 95% of the UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface. UVA rays do not vary in intensity throughout the year and although they are much less intense, they are 30-50 times more prevalent than UVB rays. In recent studies, UVA rays have also been shown capable of contributing to the development of skin cancer and photoaging, and have been linked to the development of certain types of cataracts.