Nowadays you can buy a cheap pair of sunglasses just about anywhere – from supermarkets and petrol stations to corner shops and online fashion retailers, but such ubiquity may prompt doubts as to the protection they can offer. While their lenses usually meet certain minimum UV protection requirements, their quality in other respects, such as visual clarity, is dismal. With summer approaching, it's crucial to choose sunglasses that not only complement your style but also provide proper eye protection.
(Pixabay) Opticians, however, are governed by national health regulations, meaning that they have to meet higher standards such as the CE and UKCA marks. Professional opticians are therefore much better equipped to help customers find sunglasses that not only meet their practical demands, but which are also comfortable and well suited to their facial features. Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India's general elections, only on the HT App.
Download Now! Download Now! Rules for protection European law classifies sunglass lenses as “personal protective equipment”, outlining five levels of protection. Category 0 lenses allow 80-100 per cent of light through, while those in category 4 only let 3-8 per cent through, meaning they are not suitable for driving. Category 3 is the most commonly used, as they are appropriate for most situations, including driving.
So, do darker lenses protect you better? The short answer is: not necessarily. The degree of light absorption .