How to Choose the Right Sunglasses for Driving

Even if you have 20/20 vision, sunglasses are important while driving. Sunglasses look fashionable but that should not be the sole objective for wearing them behind the driving wheel. Blinding sunlight and reflections can damage the retina, impairing visibility. Unprotected eyes while driving is an accident waiting to happen. On days you have the window down, dust or debris can fly into your eyes unexpectedly. If you are prone to headaches and eye strain, well-fitted sunglasses with the right lens that keep out the light effects are mandatory. Good quality lenses retain moisture in the eyes, keeping them healthy.

Sunglasses come in many shapes, sizes, styles and lens qualities. How do you select the right pair for you? Let the experts at Blink Vision Care guide you.

UV Protection

UV ray protection should be a top priority when you drive around in Canada. The colour of the lens is secondary. No matter what shade you choose, your sunglasses should keep out as many UV-A and UV-B rays as possible.

• Look for sunglasses that are labelled “UV 40.”
• Choose polarized lenses if possible. These reduce glare from blinding light that is reflected off surfaces, such as glass and shiny metal.

Lens Colour

Tinted lenses help absorb light beams that pass through the glass. Choose colours that don’t cloud visibility. For driving purposes, the recommended amount of light transmission is between

18% to 43%. Clear lenses allow about 80% to 100% of the light through while overly dark lenses allow as little as 3% to 8%. Neutral grey, brown, amber and green are the most effective.

However, some shades are not designed for driving. Stay away from light blue, yellow and deep black while driving. Yellow sunglasses can sharpen images but distort colour. Brown and copper tints absorb the blue frequency of light, reducing haze and glare, especially when the sun is behind your back. Keep pink, red and light green tints away while driving.

Lens Quality

Glare from the sun is a big reason behind thousands of vehicle accidents every year. Lens quality can improve your vision or damage it severely.

Inferior lens quality can cause retinal damage, macular degeneration or in worse cases, cataracts. Macular degeneration and cataracts are usually caused by overexposure to UV rays and visual strain from the wrong lens.

Plastic lenses are lighter, more impact resistant and stable than glass. Polarized sunglasses work best to reduce glare. Peripheral vision is also an important consideration while driving. Keep the thick, bulky, big shades for the beach and wear well-fitted, comfortable lightweight sunglasses while driving instead.

At Blink Vision Care, we specialize in a variety of sunglasses and speciality eyewear for drivers. Our sunglasses are designed with advanced technology to keep your eyes protected from UV rays, glare and high speed. Check out our elegant, stylish, contemporary collection on our website.