4 Ways to Pick Sunglasses

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While everyone wants to enjoy summer to the fullest, outdoor enthusiasts must remember that the sun, with all the benefits it brings, also has many dangerous effects.
The sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays are strongest during the summer, and can damage unprotected eyes in as little as 15 minutes. While wearing sunglasses with UVA/UVB protection is important throughout the year, taking extra sun-safety precautions during the summer is especially important.

Fortunately, it's possible to find sunglasses that protect your eyes and celebrate your sense of style. As you're shopping for sunglasses, keep these four tips in mind:
Pick the right shape. People with oval faces can wear almost any shape of sunglasses. Rectangular frames and lenses will help add length to a round face, and oval glasses will complement diamond or square faces. If your face is more oblong than oval, consider a round or square frame that rests at the widest part of your face.

Choose the right lenses. Choose lenses that provide broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB light. WebMD.com says you should look for a label indicating the lenses block 99 to 100 percent of UVB and UVA rays, meet ANSI (American National Standards Institute) requirements, and provide UV 400 protection.

Wear the right lens tint. Lens tint impacts more than just personal style. UV protecting coating is clear, so a lighter-hued lens can be just as effective at UV protection as a darker one. The color of the lens will, however, affect your perceptions of color. For minimal color distortion, choose gray, green or brown lenses, especially if you'll wear them while driving.

Spend the right amount. Remember that while many low-cost shades probably won't provide adequate UV protection, you still don't have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a good pair of sunglasses.

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