Welcome to Better Vision Malaysia!
30 Days Returns
What is the first thing you look at when getting a pair of new spectacles? Most tend to want the latest and most beautiful frame design available. While selecting a frame that suits your appearance is indeed important, choosing the right lens according to your vision is even more vital. When form and function complement, better eye protection and enhanced vision is made possible. With a wide variety of lenses available in the market, choosing the best lens can be quite the challenge. As such, we explore some of the lens options and their functionalities in this article to aid in your decision making process.
Transition lenses are designed to be clear for indoor use but automatically darken when they come into contact with sunlight or UV light outdoors. This is caused by the activation of molecules in the lens when they are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays. As UV rays can penetrate through clouds, transition lenses also darken even on cloudy days.
Advantages:
Eliminates the need to wear sunglasses at all times.
Transition lenses are proven for provision of 100% UVA and UVB protection.
The human eyes are made in a way that allows them to adjust to different levels of light automatically. Under dim conditions, the pupil (the black part of your eye that lets light into your eye) increases in size to allow more light to reach the retina. Under bright conditions, it contracts to avoid overexposure to the retina.
So, when you wear cheap sports sunglasses in Singapore or any other kind of sunglasses, your eyes get a signal that they’re in low light, enabling the pupil to expand to adjust to the light condition. Without filters to block out UV rays, UV light can flood in through the glasses, causing intense eye strain. Prolonged exposure to these rays can also lead to a number of eye problems including cataracts, macular degeneration, or corneal sunburn.
Optically speaking, as you curve a lens, power is induced and since most sunglasses are curved to fit the shape of your face, the lens must be curved as well. In cheaper sunglasses, the lens is made from moulded plastic which is then bent to fit the frame. This lens causes visual distortion such as blurriness, depth perception changes or even image size differences.
Finding the right pair of sunglasses can be quite tricky as there’s so much to ponder over. But, out of all the considerations, price and style should not be your top factor when looking for a new pair of shades. Here are some things you should look for instead.
1. UV Protection
There are two types of radiation you need to protect yourself from – UVA and UVB rays. Both these rays are linked with high risk of causing skin cancer as well as damaging the inside of your eyes. Sunglasses that block 99 or 100% of both UVA and UVB rays are essential to keeping your eyes protected. If the tag on your glasses fails to offer the specific percentage number, avoid purchasing.
2. Visible Light Transmission (VTL)
Another important feature you should look out for before buying your sunglasses is the VTL and your glasses should block 75 to 90% of the visible light spectrum. Without VTL protection, your eyes will be exposed to glare which can cause photokeratitis, a kind of sunburn on your eyes. The ideal VTL percentage is as below:
3. Frame Size
With the amount of different sunglasses styles popping up each year, finding a frame that protects your eyes fully is imperative. Often, cheaper sunglasses tend to target style over safety but you want to make sure you are buying glasses that are big enough to protect both your eyes and the skin surrounding your eyes.
Ultimately, it is always recommended to invest in a pair of quality sunglasses rather than opting for a cheap one. A good pair of shades will protect your eye from UV rays, visible light and other long-term damage.
At Better Vision, we have an array of sunglasses at different price ranges to suit your style and preferences. We also offer prescription sunglasses in Singapore with just about any lens you need. Drop by our stores or contact our experienced optometrists if you have any questions.
