Time for sunglasses. How to choose the right ones and in which stylish pieces will you shine this year?

^{photo: pexels / Mo & Josh}

But forget about fashion retail chains! Choose sunglasses in a specialized store, ie in eyewear. Only there you have a guarantee of quality glass and UV filter. Intense sunlight, whether on the beach, in the mountains or in the city, can cause painful and unpleasant damage to the conjunctiva or cornea. UV exposure increases the risk of cataracts.

How to choose quality sunglasses?

Sunglasses should absorb at least 98% of UVA and UVB radiation up to a wavelength of 400 nanometers. Therefore, always look for the category and type of protective filter. The category is marked with a scale of 0 to 4 and shows the light transmission. The lower the number, the less light protection. While glasses with 0 and 1 serve more as design accessories, level 3 represents a high protection, which has a permeability of about 8%, and thus sufficiently protects your eyesight. However, pay attention to the highest level 4, which is suitable for skiing, for example, but not for driving a car. In addition, if you reach for mirror or polarized models, the eyes will be less stressed.

^{Love Moschino 1 659 CZK (sold by Alensa)}

“Apart from the UV filter, keep in mind that the glasses are comfortable, do not push anywhere and their weight is evenly distributed on the ears and nose, especially if they are intended for long-term wear. Also, before you buy, always consider the occasions you want to wear them most often. ” specifies Martin Slaný, professional eye guarantor of the Fokus optician.

Although glasses with light glasses, from clear to yellow to pink, are very popular today, ophthalmologists and optometrists warn against wearing them for a long time. Not only do they not provide the same protection as dark glass, but they also distort the colors around them, making them unsuitable for driving. These glasses serve more as a stylish accessory, so we recommend wearing them only indoors.

Equally important is shape. The anatomically shaped glasses will protect you from the sun’s rays not only from the front, but also from the sides. This means that the larger the glass and the wider the side, the less room for harmful radiation. Also pay attention to scratches on the glass surface. These can significantly reduce the functionality of the glasses. Therefore, do not leave the glasses on a rough or rough surface and always try to put them in a case, so that they do not stand in your purse or bag.

“If you can’t do without prescription glasses, it is possible to buy self-tinting prescription lenses. But the solution can also be the so-called sun clips, which can be easily attached to the glasses. Even contact lens wearers can now buy lenses with a built-in UV filter, which helps protect the external and internal structures of the eye from the sun, ” adds Martin Slaný.

^{Michael Kors 3 999 CZK (sold by Fokus Optik)}

Square shapes return, lenonky and cat eye view

You may have noticed that the angular shape of sunglasses is returning to the scene this year. The good news is that this model, which is called nothing more than “television screens,” suits most people with Central European DNA. Classic pilots who returned to us from the second half of the 1980s also remain annual fixtures. You won’t step on it even if you prefer the round shapes, the so-called lenons, which got their name from their most popular wearer, John Lennon.

Massive glasses with large eyelets will also be a highly fashionable affair. Accessories also come to the fore. This year’s trend is not only distinctive frames, but also logos. You will find decorative elements on the sides and on the eyepiece in the form of various types of stones or metal elements. So definitely don’t expect minimalism in 2022.

If you want to underline your femininity, bet on cat-shaped glasses. The so-called cat eye look will be appreciated especially by owners of the heart type of face, but women with an oval shape will not step aside either. If you love extravagant pieces, they will be a great choice for you. Nevertheless, it is better to try the glasses in person and not bet on buying over the Internet. With their extravagance, some distinctive models can completely overwhelm the overall appearance of a person and thus look kitschy. Especially those that rely on very wide rims.

^{Prada 5 599 CZK (sold by Fokus Optik)}