While most of us have a single pair of eyeglasses to correct our vision, adding specialty eyewear can protect your sight, reduce eyestrain, and help you see better in certain environments.
So, do you need another pair of glasses? It all depends on your lifestyle and preferences. Let’s talk about the options to see if they’d be a helpful complement to your usual specs.
Sunglasses
If you can only buy one additional pair, quality sunglasses are the best investment you can make in your eye health.
Wearing sunglasses with at least 99 percent UV protection can reduce your risk of cataracts and slow the progression of glaucoma and macular degeneration. Plus, for those with glaucoma, sunglasses can make you more comfortable by reducing glare and easing light sensitivity.
But if you’re not sure which sunglasses to choose, don’t worry. The number of features can be a bit overwhelming. We’ll cover how to select the right ones, so they match with your daily activities.
Driving Glasses
If you plan to wear your sunglasses to see better while driving, look for these three features:
- Polarized lenses – These reduce glare, which makes it easier to see in bright conditions.
- Anti-reflective coating – This is a coating on the backside of the lenses, which eliminates glare when the sun is behind you.
- Tint – A brown, copper, or amber tint will enhance contrast on both sunny and cloudy days.
Sports Glasses
Sport-specific eyewear is designed to improve your visual clarity, protect your eyes from injury, and stay secure during activity. Look for eyeglasses and sunglasses with impact-resistant polycarbonate or Trivex lenses.
Depending on your sport, you might want to consider:
- Anti-scratch coating – Although no lenses are scratch-proof, this adds a durable coating to help your glasses survive the wear and tear of sports activities.
- Anti-fog coating – Consider this if you’re in a colder climate or you’re transitioning from different temperatures.
- Mirror coating – This gives the wearer a brighter field of vision and reduces eyestrain when facing the sun for long periods.
- Wraparound frame – If you anticipate debris or windy conditions, this style offers more eye protection.
If you’re a hunter, there are also shooting glasses with bridges that adjust to several locking positions, so they’re positioned just right for any shot. Plus, you can get interchangeable lenses for different lighting and atmospheric conditions.
Safety Glasses
Like sports glasses, safety eyewear should include lightweight, impact-resistant polycarbonate or Trivex lenses.
Since they’re made for occupational hazards, safety eyewear is made of durable materials and provides more coverage than regular glasses. In some cases, the frame has a wraparound design or includes top and side shields. Many safety frames also include spring hinges so they can flex upon impact.
Computer Glasses
Now that we’ve covered outdoor activities, let’s talk about where most of us spend a lot of time – in front of a screen. Are you experiencing dry and irritated eyes, light sensitivity, blurred vision, or headaches? Digital eyestrain can really impact your quality of life. Fortunately, there’s a solution for this common problem.
Computer reading glasses have an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare and a tint that increases contrast for easier viewing. You can also add a blue light screening to protect against UV radiation and high-energy blue light, which is emitted by all devices. Computer glasses are available with or without a prescription.
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Which pair sounds right for you? Check with your eye doctor to get an eye exam and make sure your prescription is current. Then ask for recommendations about which types of eyewear are best for your specific needs.
