How to Choose the Right Sunglasses

With thousands of sunglass styles and price points available, it can be hard to know what actually matters when making a choice. The good news is that a few key criteria separate sunglasses that genuinely protect your eyes from those that simply look the part.

At Upper West Optical, we help patients navigate the options and find sunglasses that balance real eye protection, optical quality, comfort, and personal style in one well-fitted pair.

The Most Important Features to Look For

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100% UV Protection

This is non-negotiable. Look for lenses labeled UV400 or 100% UVA and UVB protection. Lens darkness has no bearing on UV protection, only on how much visible light is blocked.

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Polarized Lenses

Polarized lenses filter horizontally reflected glare from water, roads, and snow. They significantly improve visual comfort outdoors and are especially valuable for driving and water activities.

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Frame Coverage

Larger frames and wraparound styles block UV from entering around the sides and top of the lens, providing substantially better protection than small or loosely fitting frames.

Understanding Lens Types and Tints

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Gray Lenses

Gray tints reduce overall brightness without distorting colors, making them ideal for everyday use and driving where accurate color perception is important.

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Brown and Amber Lenses

These tints enhance contrast and depth perception, making them popular for outdoor sports, fishing, and activities where distinguishing terrain features is important.

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Photochromic Lenses

Photochromic lenses automatically darken in UV light and clear indoors, offering an all-in-one solution for people who move frequently between indoor and outdoor environments.

      Common Sunglass Buying Mistakes to Avoid
      Assuming dark lenses mean better UV protection — they do not unless labeled UV400
Choosing fashion frames that leave significant gaps around the eyes
Buying cheap lenses with poor optical quality that distort or blur vision
Skipping prescription sunglasses if you normally wear corrective lenses
Using the same sunglasses for very different activities like driving and water sports
Ignoring lens impact resistance for active or outdoor use scenarios

    

Matching Sunglasses to Your Lifestyle

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Water and Beach

Polarized lenses are essential near water to cut reflected glare. Wraparound frames that stay secure and hydrophobic lens coatings add comfort and durability in wet conditions.

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Driving

Polarized gray lenses in a frame that does not obstruct peripheral vision are optimal for driving. Avoid mirrored or very dark lenses that reduce visibility in tunnels or low light.

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City and Daily Wear

For urban environments, a stylish frame with UV400 lenses and an anti-reflective back-surface coating handles both sun and reflected light from buildings and glass surfaces.

Prescription Sunglasses Are Worth It

If you wear corrective lenses, prescription sunglasses are one of the best investments you can make for your vision and eye health. They eliminate the discomfort of wearing contacts under sunglasses, the inconvenience of clip-ons, and the compromise of going without correction outdoors.

At Upper West Optical, we carry a wide selection of prescription-ready sunglass frames across a broad range of styles and price points. Our team can help you find the right combination of protection, optics, and style for the way you live.