Making a Spectacle

What better accessory for all of your lawn work and extra summer jobs than a pair of expensive designer sunglasses?

As summer's heat marches on, you can certainly look cool in these sizzling shades.

And if you can blend fashionable frames with lenses that promote optimum optical health, you'll actually be as smart as you look.

When considering which sunglasses to buy, savvy shoppers should remember that eye health is the focal point.

Everyone knows ultraviolet radiation from the sun can wreak havoc on your skin, but many forget UV rays can also damage your eyes.

"Your eyes can get sunburned," says Susan Welsh, spokesperson for the Vision Council of America. For maxium protection, Welsh says, "the frame [of your sunglasses] should offer protection all the way around, to cover the sides of your eyes."

July is UV Safety Month, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, The National Health Museum and several universities, such as Washington University in St. Louis, are doing their part to spread the word.

In addition to sunburn, research shows UV radiation can contribute to various vision disorders that may not show up until later in life, such as cataracts and even eye cancer.

Prevent Blindness America recommends selecting sunglasses with lenses that filter out 99% to 100% of UV rays; reduce glare (which causes squinting and can lead to eye fatigue and facial wrinkles); are comfortable to wear; and do not distort colors.

While everyone is at risk for ocular sun damage, PBA says the risk is higher for people on certain medicine such as birth control pills, diuretics and tranquilizers, which increase the eye's sensitivity to light. Also, people who have had eye surgery and those who spend long hours in the sun are at heightened risk.

Experts say your next pair of sunglasses should also have polarized lenses, which are designed to combat glare. To ensure the proper UV protection, buy your shades from a reputable source, warns Welsh. It is better to purchase from a professional than someone off the street, she points out.

And for those who already need vision correction, photochromic lenses -- clear eyeglasses that darken when exposed to sunlight -- are a convenient and popular choice. With recent technological advances, they turn darker much more rapidly than earlier versions.

However, photochromic lenses are not always the perfect solution. Some complain they can become too dark, especially in overcast conditions when not as much shading is needed. Other say they don't darken enough, such as when driving in a car, where windows block most of the UV signal.

Catching Your Eye

Be it for style, status or health, 86% of respondents in a survey of 100,000 people conducted by VCA's VisionWatch said they wear sunglasses. About 90% of the units sold cost less than $50 -- and most of those were purchased at a grocery or convenience store.

But if you seek a higher-quality pair, or just want to stand out, there are countless other options.

To watch Cherella Cox's video take of this column, click here.