Sunglasses are fundamental in protecting
eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and eye damage. With popularity of almost every imaginable outdoor sport such as snowboarding, skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking and golfing to name a few, need for sports performance sunglasses is on rise.Much research and technology has gone into making of sports sunglasses. The importance of having lightweight, durable, flexible and safe glasses is of special importance for avid sports enthusiast.
First off you will want lenses that offer ultimate in UVA and UVB protection. As UV light damages cornea and retina causing future problems such as cataracts, macular degeneration, cancer of eye or photokeratitis (sunburn of retina), you will want lenses that have one hundred percent UV protection. The UV protection should be stated on label, if it is not you probably don’t want to buy lenses.
Sports sunglasses offer many excellent features in design and overall shape that will ensure comfort, fit and safety to withstand rugged demands of active sports. Features such as shock frames, shatterproof polycarbonate lenses, durability, ventilation and non-slip grips are at top of list when selecting you’re sports sunglasses. The lightweight shock frames provide excellent coverage that will not bounce or shift during athletic activity. Used for active life-styles sunglasses will withstand extra tough demands of active sports. The lightweight frames offer comfort, longwearing and absorbing qualities.
The shatterproof polycarbonate lenses prove great for people needing high impact resistance in a pair of sunglasses. Polycarbonate is one of newest technologies in lens materials. The material is similar to that used for bullet resistant glass in autos. Because polycarbonate material is naturally UV absorbing, clear lenses can even boast one hundred percent UV protection. Some polycarbonate is approved for use in safety glasses. The shatterproof lenses are lightweight, impact-resistant, durable and scratch-resistant; lenses are virtually break proof, peace of mind for those high impact sports enthusiasts. The polycarbonate eyewear is only eyewear approved for use with most Police and Fire Departments.
The durability of lenses is another important quality of sports sunglasses. Having lenses and frames that are scratch resistant, lightweight yet durable is necessary with demands of some of high impact sports. Polyamide is a popular material used today for frames, great because it keeps its shape even under stress. Both sunglasses and goggles offer excellent ventilation systems within their lens and frame designs. This is an important feature to eliminate fog and condensation during activity, ensuring proper vision and safety while at same time blocking incoming harmful rays. Lastly no-slip temple grips and nose pads (usually made of rubber) is a feature that goes without explaining. The need for sunglasses to stay securely in place during athletic activity (while providing comfort and non-distorted vision) can be crucial given some sport situations.
Having proper sports sunglasses can have a profound effect on an athlete's overall performance. Not only do sunglasses and eyewear protect eyes from harmful UV rays, but also athletes wearing protective eyewear, such as goggles with polycarbonate (shatterproof) lenses are spared injury. Face shields using polycarbonate are also used for baseball catchers, hockey, and football players. It’s important to never substitute regular sunglasses during sports. Sunglasses for standard street wear are not made of same safety materials as sports sunglasses and will most likely not hold up if under impact, glasses could shatter or bend causing pieces of frame or lens to cause eye or even face injury.
