UV Protection Sunglasses – How Different Protection Categories Work

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UV Protection Sunglasses - How Different Protection Categories Work

UV protection categories | Category 3 vs 4 | 100% UV protection vs polarised

By Emma Moletto

Reviewed by

Updated On Mar 23, 2023

All you need to know about different sunglasses UV protection categories. Choose yours based on your needs and lifestyle!

SUMMARY

The different UV protection categories for sunglasses are:

– Category 0: Blocks 3-20% of UV rays, unsuitable for eye protection.

– Category 1: Blocks 20-57% of UV rays, ideal for fashion or cloudy days.

– Category 2: Blocks 57-82% of UV rays, suitable for overcast days.

– Category 3: Blocks 82-92% of UV rays, offering appropriate sun protection.

– Category 4: Blocks 92-97% of UV rays, delivering maximum UV protection.

Many people use sunglasses as a fashion accessory to add a touch of sophistication to their style during the spring and summer months. However, not everyone is aware that UV sunglasses have a very practical purpose in addition to being fashionable.

The lenses protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, which are problematic on both clear and cloudy days. When exposed to the sun, our eye pupils constrict to filter the light before it hits our retina. When the UV rays are very strong, this natural filter isn’t enough and could lead to eye health issues. To help prevent various issues, you should wear sunglasses that provide UV protection.

People’s eyewear needs vary, so it’s only natural that sunglasses come with various lenses to accommodate various conditions and environments. The lenses usually fall into one of five levels that offer different UV filters in sunglasses.

What is category 0 UV protection?

Category 0 blocks out only 3-20% of UV rays, so not a viable option for eye protection. Category 0 sunglasses are indicated for fashion purposes only; an example is softly coloured tinted lenses.

What is category 1 UV protection?

Category 1 blocks 20-57% of UV. Category 1 sunglasses are best suited for fashion purposes or cloudy days with little sun exposure. These types of sunnies usually have light tints, like grey or purple.

What is category 2 UV protection?

Category 2 lenses block 57-82% of UV rays and are appropriate for partly overcast days. Category 2 sunglasses are typically lighter in colour than others. Perfect for spring!

What is category 3 UV protection?

Category 3 sunglasses block 82-92% of UV light, which makes these UV sunglasses an excellent choice for sun protection. These shades can be used in bright sunlight in the mountains or at the seaside.

What is category 4 UV protection?

However, it is important to note that they are unsuitable for driving due to the dark lens tint (even illegal in some countries like the UK).

DID YOU KNOW?

UV protection is the most important characteristic to look for when choosing your next pair of sunglasses. Categories 0, 1 and 2 are for fashion purposes. Category 3 is ideal for standard bright sunlight conditions and Category 4 is for exceptionally bright settings.

Should I get category 3 or 4 sunglasses?

To determine which UV protection category you should go for, you need to determine in which conditions you’ll use your sunglasses. Usually, most people buying sunglasses will get a standard category 3 pair.

Category 3 is the most common, ideal for bright sunny days in cities and holidays in the mountains or seaside. Category 4 sunglasses have extremely dark lenses and are recommended for extra bright conditions when the sun is very intense. For example, hiking at high altitudes, in the desert, or sailing in the open sea.

Is 100% UV protection better than polarised?

100% UV protection and polarisation are two different things. While UV protection sunglasses are designed to protect your eyes, polarised sunglasses are designed to reduce glare so you can see more clearly without squinting. People who play video games, water sports, or are bothered by glare daily choose these lenses.

Although polarisation has nothing to do with UV light absorption, many polarised lenses now have a UV-blocking material added to them. Older sunglasses with scratches on the coatings will not provide as much protection as newer UV protection sunglasses, so it is important to take care of them to ensure they protect your eyes.

Remember that UV protection is the most critical characteristic to look for and should be your top priority when buying sunglasses.

UV Protection Sunglasses - How Different Protection Categories Work

UV protection categories | Category 3 vs 4 | 100% UV protection vs polarised

By Emma Moletto

Reviewed by

Updated On Mar 23, 2023

All you need to know about different sunglasses UV protection categories. Choose yours based on your needs and lifestyle!

Many people use sunglasses as a fashion accessory to add a touch of sophistication to their style during the spring and summer months.

However, not everyone is aware that UV sunglasses have a very practical purpose in addition to being fashionable.

When the UV rays are very strong, this natural filter isn’t enough and could lead to eye health issues. To help prevent various issues, you should wear sunglasses that provide UV protection.

What is category 0 UV protection?

Category 0 blocks out only 3-20% of UV rays, so not a viable option for eye protection. Category 0 sunglasses are indicated for fashion purposes only; an example is softly coloured tinted lenses.

What is category 1 UV protection?

What is category 2 UV protection?

Category 2 lenses block 57-82% of UV rays and are appropriate for partly overcast days. Category 2 sunglasses are typically lighter in colour than others. Perfect for spring!

What is category 3 UV protection?

Category 3 sunglasses block 82-92% of UV light, which makes these UV sunglasses an excellent choice for sun protection. These shades can be used in bright sunlight in the mountains or at the seaside.

What is category 4 UV protection?

Category 4 (UV400) lenses are the highest category available, blocking 92-97% of UV rays to provide maximum protection. Sunglasses with lens category 4 are ideal for exceptionally bright settings, such as at high elevations or sea. However, it is important to note that they are unsuitable for driving due to the dark lens tint (even illegal in some countries like the UK).

DID YOU KNOW?

Should I get category 3 or 4 sunglasses?

Is 100% UV protection better than polarised?

People who play video games, water sports, or are bothered by glare daily choose these lenses.

Remember that UV protection is the most critical characteristic to look for and should be your top priority when buying sunglasses.

What Causes Blurred Vision?

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What Causes Blurred Vision?

Blurred vision has a long list of potential causes, but these condition are responsible in the majority of cases.

SUMMARY

Blurred vision is a common issue that can result from various factors, from refractive errors like myopia and astigmatism to more serious conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma. It may also be linked to health issues like diabetes or migraines.

Ultimately, an eye exam is needed to detect the underlying cause.

Blurry vision is an incredibly broad term and as such, can be caused by an incredibly broad range of things.

Non-serious causes of blurred vision:

Hyperopia – If you have hyperopia (farsightedness), distant objects may remain clear but your eyes can’t focus properly on close-up objects, or doing so causes unusual eye strain and fatigue. In cases of severe farsightedness, even distant objects may appear blurred.
Astigmatism – Blurred vision at all distances often is a symptom of astigmatism. A type of refractive error, astigmatism usually is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea.
Presbyopia – If you’re over age 40 and are starting to notice blurry vision up close — when reading a text message, a restaurant menu, food label or other small print, for example. Chances are, this is due to the onset of presbyopia, a normal age-related vision problem.
Myopia – Symptoms of myopia (nearsightedness) include squinting, eye strain, headaches and blurry vision in one or both eyes. Myopia is the most common refractive errors and causes objects in the distance to appear blurred.
Eye floaters – Vision can be blurred by temporary spots or floaters drifting in your field of vision. Floaters typically appear when the eye’s gel-like vitreous begins to liquify with age, causing microscopic bits of tissue to float freely inside the eye, casting shadows on the retina.
Pregnancy – Blurry vision is common during pregnancy and sometimes is accompanied by diplopia (double vision). Hormonal changes can alter the shape and thickness of your cornea, causing your vision to blur. Dry eyes also are common in pregnant women and can cause blurred vision.

DID YOU KNOW?

If you’re experiencing any kind of blurred vision for an extended period of time, cconsult your eye doctor.

Serious causes of blurred vision also exist, such as: cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cardiovascular disease, or age-related macular degeneration. If you reckon you may be experiencing any of these conditions, speak to a doctor or eye specialist immediately.

Myopia

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Myopia

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the most common form of vision impairment in the world. Learn about its effects, causes, and treatments in this article.

SUMMARY

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the most common eye condition.

It causes distant objects to appear blurry and often results from an irregular cornea shape, affecting how light enters the eye.

Symptoms include squinting to see far away, frequent headaches, eye rubbing and tiredness during activities like driving or sports.

Myopia can be effectively treated with corrective lenses or surgery.

What is myopia?

Also known as nearsightedness or shortsightedness, myopia is a condition that impairs distance vision, reducing visual acuity and making objects appear fuzzy. Sufferers of myopia can generally see clearly in their near field of vision, but experience blurry vision when looking at distant objects.

Myopia is the number one cause of impaired vision in people under age 40, and its prevalence is rising.

The World Health Organisation estimated that 2.2 billion people were affected by myopia in 2019. By 2050, half of the world’s population is expected to be myopic (Nouraeinejad, 2021). Untreated myopia can be a risk factor for developing cataracts, glaucoma and retinal detachment, posing a considerable risk to eye health.

Myopia is a very common condition and, thankfully, is very easily treatable. It is important to get your eyes tested regularly in order to promptly receive treatment if and when needed.

Also known as nearsightedness or shortsightedness, myopia is a condition that impairs distance vision, reducing visual acuity and making objects appear fuzzy.

Sufferers of myopia can generally see clearly in their near field of vision, but experience blurry vision when looking at distant objects.

Myopia is the number one cause of impaired vision in people under age 40, and its prevalence is rising.

The World Health Organisation estimated that 2.2 billion people were affected by myopia in 2019. By 2050, half of the world’s population is expected to be myopic (Nouraeinejad, 2021).

Untreated myopia can be a risk factor for developing cataracts, glaucoma and retinal detachment, posing a considerable risk to eye health.

Myopia is a very common condition and, thankfully, is very easily treatable. It is important to get your eyes tested regularly in order to promptly receive treatment if and when needed.

What causes myopia?

Myopia is a refractive error, meaning that there is a problem with the way light rays are bent when entering the eye. Refractive errors are the most common vision problems, and myopia is the most common of them all. There are a couple of causes of this particular refractive error, the most common being related to the shape of the eyeball itself.

When the eyeball is elongated, light is focused in front of the retina, rather than directly on it, causing blurry vision. An irregularly-shaped cornea can also be responsible for myopia. When the curvature of the cornea is too high, it creates the same issue of the light rays focusing in front of the retina.

Myopia is a refractive error, meaning that there is a problem with the way light rays are bent when entering the eye.

Refractive errors are the most common vision problems, and myopia is the most common of them all.

There are a couple of causes of this particular refractive error, the most common being related to the shape of the eyeball itself.

When the eyeball is elongated, light is focused in front of the retina, rather than directly on it, causing blurry vision.

An irregularly-shaped cornea can also be responsible for myopia.

When the curvature of the cornea is too high, it creates the same issue of the light rays focusing in front of the retina.

Myopia is one of many genetic eye conditions, so if one or both of your parents have it, they will likely pass it on to you. Children typically develop myopia between the ages of 6 and 14. The blurred vision it creates can continue to worsen until around 40, but it usually levels off by the age of 20.

Myopia is one of many genetic eye conditions, so if one or both of your parents have it, they will likely pass it on to you. Children typically develop myopia between the ages of 6 and 14.

The blurred vision it creates can continue to worsen until around 40, but it usually levels off by the age of 20.

Myopia symptoms

There are several common symptoms that can indicate the presence of myopia:

Regular headaches
Frequent rubbing of eyes
Squinting when trying to focus on distant objects
Tiredness when playing sports or driving

As myopia most commonly develops during childhood, having difficulty reading what’s written on the board at school is often the first telltale sign in children. This may affect the quality of their grades, which can be another indicator for parents, as can holding objects close to their faces.

Children can be reluctant to wear glasses and, therefore, may be unwilling to talk to their parents about their vision problems. If you notice any of the above behaviours in your child, approach the topic with them delicately, and book an eye test with your local optometrist.

There are several common symptoms that can indicate the presence of myopia:

Regular headaches
Frequent rubbing of eyes
Squinting when trying to focus on distant objects
Tiredness when playing sports or driving

As myopia most commonly develops during childhood, having difficulty reading what’s written on the board at school is often the first telltale sign in children.

This may affect the quality of their grades, which can be another indicator for parents, as can holding objects close to their faces.

Children can be reluctant to wear glasses and, therefore, may be unwilling to talk to their parents about their vision problems.

If you notice any of the above behaviours in your child, approach the topic with them delicately, and book an eye test with your local optometrist.

Myopia is genetic, so pay extra attention to your children if you are nearsighted. Children commonly develop myopia between 8 and 12 years old and during the teenage years the level of myopia can actually worsen as the body grows rapidly. Myopia normally stabilizes when people are between 20 and 40 years old.

Myopia is genetic, so pay extra attention to your children if you are nearsighted. Children commonly develop myopia between 8 and 12 years old.

During the teenage years the level of myopia can actually worsen as the body grows rapidly. Myopia normally stabilizes when people are between 20 and 40 years old.

High myopia

High myopia is a rare inherited type of severe nearsightedness, caused by an over-elongated eyeball or an overly-curved cornea. A refractive error greater than -6 is considered high myopia. The condition can continue to progress into a person’s 20s, but can be treated the same way as regular myopia, with corrective lenses or laser eye surgery.

However, it still poses a number of risks to eye health. A child with high myopia may be at greater risk of developing more serious eye problems later in life, such as glaucoma and cataracts.

People with high myopia are five to six times more likely to develop retinal detachment than those with low myopia, and it can even lead to blindness if not treated. Regular eye exams are essential to ensure that high myopia is identified and treated accordingly.

High myopia is a rare inherited type of severe nearsightedness, caused by an over-elongated eyeball or an overly-curved cornea. A refractive error greater than -6 is considered high myopia.

The condition can continue to progress into a person’s 20s, but can be treated the same way as regular myopia, with corrective lenses or laser eye surgery.

However, it still poses a number of risks to eye health. A child with high myopia may be at greater risk of developing more serious eye problems
later in life, such as glaucoma and cataracts.

People with high myopia are five to six times more likely to develop retinal detachment than those with low myopia, and it can even lead to blindness if not treated.

Regular eye exams are essential to ensure that high myopia is identified and treated accordingly.

Degenerative myopia

Degenerative myopia is also known as pathological myopia or progressive myopia. As this last name suggests, this severe myopia progresses further than other types of myopia. It damages parts of the eye, including the macula and the retina, and is a leading cause of legal blindness.

Myopia currently affects about 33% of people worldwide, with 50% of the world’s population on track to be myopic by 2050.

Degenerative myopia is also known as pathological myopia or progressive myopia.

As this last name suggests, this severe myopia progresses further than other types of myopia.

It damages parts of the eye, including the macula and the retina, and is a leading cause of legal blindness.

Myopia currently affects about 33% of people worldwide, with 50% of the world’s population on track to be myopic by 2050.

DID YOU KNOW?

Myopia has been becoming increasingly common for years. If the current rate of progressin continues, it is estimated that 50% of the world’s population will have some form of myopia by 2050.

Myopia treatment

Myopia is easily treated. The first step is to consult an optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam and an eye test. Corrective lenses are the most common method of myopia treatment, either in the form of glasses or contact lenses. Surgical procedures can provide a more permanent solution to the problem, but may not be suitable for everyone.

Myopia is easily treated. The first step is to consult an optometrist for a comprehensive eye exam and an eye test.

Corrective lenses are the most common method of myopia treatment, either in the form of glasses or contact lenses.

Surgical procedures can provide a more permanent solution to the problem, but may not be suitable for everyone.

Corrective lenses

Corrective lenses are the easiest and most often prescribed treatment for myopia. The eye doctor conducts an eye test and exam to diagnose the condition and calculate the lens prescription needed. The prescription is then applied to glasses lenses or contact lenses, which correct the refractive error and focus light directly on the retina, meaning no more blurry vision.

For most people, glasses are the easier and more comfortable option. Single vision lenses are usually used to treat myopia, but there are many types of lenses available, so you can speak with your optometrist to help you decide which option is best for you.

Contact lenses can provide greater peripheral vision and are particularly useful for playing sports and other outdoor activities, but some people find them uncomfortable. Many people use a combination of glasses and contact lenses depending on the needs of their lifestyle.

Corrective lenses are the easiest and most often prescribed treatment for myopia.

The eye doctor conducts an eye test and exam to diagnose the condition and calculate the lens prescription needed.

The prescription is then applied to glasses lenses or contact lenses, which correct the refractive error and focus light directly on the retina, meaning no more blurry vision.

For most people, glasses are the easier and more comfortable option.

Single vision lenses are usually used to treat myopia, but there are many types of lenses available, so you can speak with your optometrist to help you decide which option is best for you.

Contact lenses can provide greater peripheral vision and are particularly useful for playing sports and other outdoor activities, but some people find them uncomfortable.

Many people use a combination of glasses and contact lenses depending on the needs of their lifestyle.

Refractive Surgery

Surgical procedures to correct myopia offer a more long-term solution to the problem. With refractive surgery, the opthalmologist uses a laser to reshape the cornea so that it refracts light correctly onto the retina. The most common technique of refractive surgery is called LASIK.

The natural aging process, as well as the development of other ocular conditions, means eyesight can begin to deteriorate even after surgery, but many patients enjoy normal vision for ten years after their procedure.

Surgical procedures to correct myopia offer a more long-term solution to the problem. The most common technique of refractive surgery is called LASIK.

With refractive surgery, the opthalmologist uses a laser to reshape the cornea so that it refracts light correctly onto the retina.

The other type of corrective surgery is called refractive lens exchange. Here, the ophthalmologist removes the natural lens from the eye and replaces it with an artificial one. This new lens is appropriately shaped to focus light directly on the retina, giving you clear vision.

Refractive surgery comes with risks, potential side effects, and recovery periods. Speak to your ophthalmologist about these factors before deciding if surgery is the right option for you.

The other type of corrective surgery is called refractive lens exchange. Here, the ophthalmologist removes the natural lens from the eye and replaces it with an artificial one.

This new lens is appropriately shaped to focus light directly on the retina, giving you clear vision.

Refractive surgery comes with risks, potential side effects, and recovery periods.

Speak to your ophthalmologist about these factors before deciding if surgery is the right option for you.

Corneal reshaping therapy

Corneal reshaping therapy, also called orthokeratology, is a less common method used to correct myopia. Special contact lenses are worn overnight to temporarily change the shape of the cornea, flattening it so that it refracts light correctly the next day.

Orthokeratology may be effective in slowing myopic progression for children and adolescents, but more research is needed in this area (VanderVeen, 2019).

These contact lenses are more rigid than regular contact lenses, so they may be uncomfortable at first as you get used to the feel of them on your corneal tissue. Clear vision can then be enjoyed during the daytime without the need for glasses.

Corneal reshaping therapy, also called orthokeratology, is a less common method used to correct myopia.

Special contact lenses are worn overnight to temporarily change the shape of the cornea, flattening it so that it refracts light correctly the next day.

Orthokeratology may be effective in slowing myopic progression for children and adolescents, but more research is needed in this area (VanderVeen, 2019).

These contact lenses are more rigid than regular contact lenses, so they may be uncomfortable at first as you get used to the feel of them on your corneal tissue.

Clear vision can then be enjoyed during the daytime without the need for glasses.

Eye drops

A 2020 study of the daily use of eye drops containing a compound called atropine showed promising results in myopia control, namely in slowing myopia progression in children. However, these eye drops alone do not provide vision correction. This is not yet a widespread treatment for myopia, and more research is needed to determine the extent of its effect (Kaiti et al., 2022).

A 2020 study of the daily use of eye drops containing a compound called atropine showed promising results in myopia control, namely in slowing myopia progression in children.

However, these eye drops alone do not provide vision correction. This is not yet a widespread treatment for myopia, and more research is needed to determine the extent of its effect (Kaiti et al., 2022).

Regular eye tests

Due to it being a genetic condition, there is, unfortunately, nothing you can do to prevent myopia from developing. There are, however, best practices for dealing with it. Myopia is generally a very manageable condition, and by getting your eyes tested regularly, you can ensure that your glasses prescription is always accurate. This will reduce unnecessary eye strain.

In the absence of signs of vision loss, a child should have their first eye test at 6 months old. They should then have another one between the ages of 3 and 5 years old. If you ever have concerns about your child’s vision, for example, if they often walk into things or are accident prone, seek to see a professional.

Due to it being a genetic condition, there is, unfortunately, nothing you can do to prevent myopia from developing. There are, however, best practices for dealing with it.

Myopia is generally a very manageable condition, and by getting your eyes tested regularly, you can ensure that your glasses prescription is always accurate. This will reduce unnecessary eye strain.

In the absence of signs of vision loss, a child should have their first eye test at 6 months old. They should then have another one between the ages of 3 and 5 years old.

If you ever have concerns about your child’s vision, for example, if they often walk into things or are accident prone, seek to see a professional.

Between the ages of 5 and 13, yearly eye tests are advised, then once every two years from the age of 13 onwards. Your eye doctor will give you a more precise timeframe suited to the vision needs of you or your child, and you should always follow their recommendations.

The presence of myopia and its severity or rate of progression could require more frequent eye tests.

Between the ages of 5 and 13, yearly eye tests are advised, then once every two years from the age of 13 onwards.

Your eye doctor will give you a more precise timeframe suited to the vision needs of you or your child, and you should always follow their recommendations.

The presence of myopia and its severity or rate of progression could require more frequent eye tests.

Protect your eyesight

Some research has been conducted on the link between spending time outdoors and the development of myopia (Xiong et al., 2017). The findings suggest that in children who have not yet developed myopia, spending time outside may help slow its onset. Conversely, it did not prove effective in slowing the progression of myopia in children who already have the condition.

More research is needed to draw concrete conclusions, but spending time out in the open is considered beneficial for myopia and eyesight in general. The increased time we now spend focusing on nearby objects at work or while studying is thought to play a role in the rise in myopia. Being outdoors allows greater opportunities to focus on more distant objects and exercise our eye muscles.

Limiting screen time and doing eye exercises like the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, focus on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds) are also recommended. Practice good hygiene with contact lenses and avoid overuse, and wear sunglasses with high UV protection while outdoors. Include the necessary vitamins in your diet for good eye health, and give up smoking.

Follow these guidelines yourself and encourage your children to do the same. If you experience a lack of sharpness in your distance vision and think you – or your child – may have myopia, book an eye test with your local eye doctor. You can also ask one of our opticians if you have any more questions about myopia, other refractive errors, or general eye health.

Some research has been conducted on the link between spending time outdoors and the development of myopia (Xiong et al., 2017).

The findings suggest that in children who have not yet developed myopia, spending time outside may help slow its onset.

Conversely, it did not prove effective in slowing the progression of myopia in children who already have the condition.

More research is needed to draw concrete conclusions, but spending time out in the open is considered beneficial for myopia and eyesight in general.

The increased time we now spend focusing on nearby objects at work or while studying is thought to play a role in the rise in myopia.

Being outdoors allows greater opportunities to focus on more distant objects and exercise our eye muscles.

Limiting screen time and doing eye exercises like the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, focus on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds) are also recommended.

Practice good hygiene with contact lenses and avoid overuse, and wear sunglasses with high UV protection while outdoors. Include the necessary vitamins in your diet for good eye health, and give up smoking,

Follow these guidelines yourself and encourage your children to do the same.

If you experience a lack of sharpness in your distance vision and think you – or your child – may have myopia, book an eye test with your local eye doctor.

You can also ask one of our opticians if you have any more questions about myopia, other refractive errors, or general eye health.

References

DK VanderVeen MD (2019), Use of Orthokeratology for the Prevention of Myopic Progression in Children, the American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30476518/

Nouraeinejad, Ali (2021), More Than Fifty Percent of the World Population Will Be Myopic by 2050, Beyoglu Eye Journal. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8759558/

Xiong et al. (2017), Time spent in outdoor activities in relation to myopia prevention and control: a meta‐analysis and systematic review, Acta Ophthalmologica. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5599950.

Kaiti et al. (2022), Role of Atropine in the control of Myopia Progression- A Review, Beyoglu Eye Journal.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9522992/

Lead a colourful life with aboriginal glasses that give back

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Lead a colorful life with aboriginal glasses that give back

Aurora Gould

Aurora is a Digital Marketing Specialist for SmartBuyGlasses. She’s enthusiastic about supporting the marketing efforts across multiple channels. Her goal is to create riveting content that is also educational by bringing to you all the latest eyewear trends.

Let’s kick off the season with new, creative, and fun glasses! Arise Collective has partnered up with Jukurrpa Designs to bring you a collection of exclusive aboriginal glasses that give back to the community.

Jukurrpa Designs carefully crafts people-powered eyewear inspired by Aboriginal artwork. You can indulge in colourful glasses frames that are uniquely designed and inspired by the stories of artists from a small Australian community.

Through the one-of-a-kind, patterned glasses, you will be about to see how the artists connect with the beautiful environment around them.

SmartBuyGlasses is excited to be the first online distributor of the glasses and is proud to give back to support and help Australian aboriginal communities. It is a great opportunity for us to follow our mission to give you trendy, statement prescription glasses and sunglasses while envisioning a better world.

With every frame sold, Arise Collective donates 10% to the Aboriginal Artists and the Art Centre / Community.

To give you inspiration, we’ve put together some of our favourites from the Arise Collective X Jukurrpa Designs collection just for you.

Ovally fascinated

You’ve got to love these funky patterned glasses frames by aboriginal artist Mathessa Nampijinpa. The pattern is fun, and the oval frame is a great fit for many different face shapes. In particular, people with square faces would rock these with ease.

If you’re looking for playful aboriginal glasses, then you’ve found the perfect pair!

Creative Cat-eye

It is impossible not to love these sharp-edged cat-eye glasses with a cute pattern on top and clear frames on the bottom.

This dreamy pair of glasses by Juliette Nampijinpa is a must-have! A subtle yet fun patterned frame will keep you chic all year round. The combination of quality materials, colourful patterns, and this new artistic touch will be sure to turn heads.

Wink of Pink

Get your dancing shoes ready, because it’s time to shine in your bright new glasses! Thanks to the cat-eye frame, this pair by Kirsty Napanangka is a perfect fit for all face shapes.

If you love a good classic frame but want to change it up with new patterns, then the pink frames are the perfect solution!

Don’t let a forgotten prescription hold you back from a trendy pair of glasses! Use our lens scanner tool to instantly reveal your prescription to get shopping.

Blue like the sky

Just like the J Nampijinpa Red, you’ll love this pair by K-A Nungarrayi! With a dazzling pattern and clear bottom frame, these square frame glasses will make your eyes pop thanks to the ocean blue colour.

If you have a round or oval face, then you’ll suit these glasses effortlessly! Your office days can do with a little colour and protection from blue light glasses.

Bring eyewear to life

If you can’t choose just one colour, you can have (nearly) all! Geraldine Napurrurla has brought together three beautiful colours to honour our environment. The green reminds us of the Earth, the blue the oceans, and the red is warm like the Sun.

Just as these three elements bring life, why not bring to life a new look with aboriginal glasses!

A partnership you don’t want to miss

If you’ve loved these glasses, then check out the rest of the Arise X Jukurrpa collection to find a pair that gives you a new fun look while giving back to the community.

Join us to spread the word and shine light upon these wonderful artists as they make your personality beam with unique eyewear designs.

As you add vibrant hues to your eyewear collection this year, you can also keep up with the latest trends and get style tips by following our blog.

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Lead a colorful life with aboriginal glasses that give back

Aurora Gould

Jukurrpa Designs carefully crafts people-powered eyewear inspired by Aboriginal artwork. You can indulge in colorful glasses frames that are uniquely designed and inspired by the stories of artists from a small Australian community.

Through the one-of-a-kind, patterned glasses, you will be about to see how the artists connect with the beautiful environment around them.

With every frame sold, Arise Collective donates 10% to the Aboriginal Artists and the Art Centre / Community.

To give you inspiration, we’ve put together some of our favorites from the Arise Collective X Jukurrpa Designs collection just for you.

Ovally fascinated

If you’re looking for playful aboriginal glasses, then you’ve found the perfect pair!

Creative Cat-eye

It is impossible not to love these sharp-edged cat-eye glasses with a cute pattern on top and clear frames on the bottom.

This dreamy pair of glasses by Juliette Nampijinpa is a must-have! A subtle yet fun patterned frame will keep you chic all year round. The combination of quality materials, colorful patterns, and this new artistic touch will be sure to turn heads.

Wink of Pink

Get your dancing shoes ready, because it’s time to shine in your bright new glasses! Thanks to the cat-eye frame, this pair by Kirsty Napanangka is a perfect fit for all face shapes.

If you love a good classic frame but want to change it up with new patterns, then the pink frames are the perfect solution!

Don’t let a forgotten prescription hold you back from a trendy pair of glasses! Use our lens scanner tool to instantly reveal your prescription to get shopping.

Blue like the sky

If you have a round or oval face, then you’ll suit these glasses effortlessly! Your office days can do with a little color and protection from blue light glasses.

Bring eyewear to life

If you can’t choose just one color, you can have (nearly) all! Geraldine Napurrurla has brought together three beautiful colors to honor our environment. The green reminds us of the Earth, the blue the oceans, and the red is warm like the Sun.

Just as these three elements bring life, why not bring to life a new look with aboriginal glasses!

A partnership you don’t want to miss

If you’ve loved these glasses, then check out the rest of the Arise X Jukurrpa collection to find a pair that gives you a new fun look while giving back to the community.

Join us to spread the word and shine light upon these wonderful artists as they make your personality beam with unique eyewear designs.

As you add vibrant hues to your eyewear collection this year, you can also keep up with the latest trends and get style tips by following our blog.

Sorry, we could not find the following product IDs in our database: 544491, 426600, 414064. Please check and use correct values.

Trivex vs Polycarbonate Lenses

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Trivex vs Polycarbonate Lenses

Should I get Trivex or polycarbonate? | What are polycarbonate lenses? | Do polycarbonate lenses block UV? | How to clean polycarbonate lenses | What are Trivex lenses? | Are Trivex lenses worth it? How thick are Trivex lenses? | Are Trivex lenses better than polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate and Trivex lenses have a lot of similar properties. In this article, we weigh up the differences between the two lens materials.

Even more than the frame or design, the lenses you choose have a big influence on how happy you are with your glasses.

When buying glasses, one of the most common mistakes people make is not giving enough thought to the lens materials, designs, and lens coatings. Your lens choice impacts your comfort, vision, and safety, as well as appearance.

Should I get Trivex or polycarbonate?

Buying prescription glasses is a difficult task. With so many lens material options and coatings, it’s easy to become overwhelmed about which ones are best for you. This article will give you insight into different types of lenses and help you to choose the best lenses for your needs.

Trivex vs Polycarbonate: Let’s look at the difference between the two lens materials

What are polycarbonate lenses?

DID YOU KNOW?

You can rest assured that Trivex lenses are tough. Trivex was originally designed for military use, specifically in the windshields of helicopters and fighter jets!

Polycarbonate first appeared in the 1950s, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that companies first started to use it as an alternative to glass lenses.

Polycarbonate pellets are heated to their melting point and inserted into lens molds, while normal plastic lenses are manufactured using cast molding. This alternative production method strengthens and improves the impact resistance of polycarbonate.

Therefore, polycarbonate lenses are made of a more impact-resistant plastic than regular plastic lenses. This material lenses are also significantly thinner and lighter than glass lenses. These qualities make it the best material for kid’s glasses, sports glasses, and safety glasses.

There are both advantages and fallbacks of polycarbonate lenses that are important to consider. Polycarbonate is more scratch resistant than plastic, but less than Trivex lenses. However, this can be mitigated if you apply a scratch-resistant coating to the lenses.

The abbe value of a lens material correlates to the quality of vision through the lens. Due to the fact that polycarbonate lenses have a low abbe value, certain people with higher prescriptions and high astigmatism frequently complain that the lenses have poor optical clarity, distortion, or disrupt their peripheral vision.

Do polycarbonate lenses block UV?

Polycarbonate lenses block nearly the entire UV spectrum, including UVA and UVB. UV radiation is absorbed by the material, which prevents it from passing through. It is so effective, that even a small layer of the material can effectively absorb UV rays. This shields the skin and eyes significantly better than any sun lotion could.

In addition, polycarbonate lenses transmit visible light, the part of the spectrum that allows us to perceive color. Despite the fact that you may have to consider scratch-resistant coatings for polycarbonate lenses, an extra lens treatment for UV protection is not required.

How to clean polycarbonate lenses

If you wear glasses, you know how aggravating it is to have dirt or grit on your lenses. In addition to being annoying, it can also cause eye strain and headaches.

Make sure to keep your lenses clean for optimal optical clarity, whatever lens option you opt for. When cleaning your polycarbonate lenses, you should always take care. Here are some great tips to take the best care of your lenses.

Before rubbing your lenses, gently rinse them with warm water to remove any dust or debris that could scratch them. If you live somewhere with hard water, use distilled water instead of tap water.

A microfiber cloth is the safest and most effective way to clean your glasses without creating stains or damage. Don’t be tempted to use your sleeve or the edge of your shirt!

It’s preferable to use a glasses cleaning solution or spray safe for polycarbonate and lens coatings. You can alternatively use lotion-free dish soap.

Shake off any excess water droplets from your glasses. Dry them using an air canister to avoid streaks and watermarks.

Now that you know more about polycarbonate lenses, let’s take a look at Trivex lenses.

What are Trivex lenses?

Trivex is a type of durable, lightweight plastic that has hit the market in recent years. While polycarbonate has been the industry standard for safety glasses, sports goggles, and children’s glasses for many years, many optometrists now recommend Trivex lenses as an alternative.

While Trivex is comparable to polycarbonate, it has a few key differences. Trivex was initially designed for military use in helicopter and fighter aircraft windows. The material’s chemistry was tailored for use in optical lenses in 2002, making Trivex lenses one of the most durable and desirable lenses on the market.

Are Trivex lenses worth it?

To put it simply, Trivex lenses are more comfortable than other plastic glasses lens materials, which is one of the most significant advantages. Trivex lenses are thinner than ordinary plastic lenses, with a 1.53 index.

They are also made from a lighter material than plastic lenses, so you won’t notice the weight of your lenses as you go about your day. Additionally, lightweight lenses are more comfortable and prevent the glasses from sliding down your nose or falling off your face.

Similar to a polycarbonate lens, Trivex lenses provide full UV protection. UV protection is built into the material of Trivex lenses, which means the protection will not degrade over time. The UV protection only degrades if it is applied to the lens through a coating, which is not the case with Trivex lenses.

A lot of people wonder, “Does Trivex scratch easily?”. Although Trivex is clearer and lighter than polycarbonate, it’s just as tough. Trivex lenses have strong impact resistance and robustness, which makes them durable and resistant to cracks and breaks. These characteristics are ideal for designs such as rimless glasses.

Trivex lenses have a higher Abbe value of 45, whereas polycarbonate lenses have an Abbe value of 30. This means that Trivex will give you exceptionally clear vision thanks to their higher abbe value.

When you choose Trivex lenses, you don’t have to compromise in terms of core features, but they may be more costly. Although they are more expensive than polycarbonate lenses, they are considered the ideal lens by many eye care specialists.

How thick are Trivex lenses?

Unlike lenses made from standard plastic, which tend to be around 2mm thick, Trivex lenses are around 1.2mm. Since polycarbonate has a greater refraction index than Trivex (1.58 vs. 1.53), polycarbonate lenses are around 10% thinner. However, they are both excellent choices for thin lenses.

Are Trivex lenses better than polycarbonate?

Finding the best lens material for you depends on your needs and lifestyle. You can use this guide to decide if polycarbonate is the right match for your lenses, or if you want to spend the extra money on Trivex lenses.

While we do not currently stock polycarbonate or Trivex lenses, you can find a range of excellent lens choices for prescription eyeglasses when purchasing online with us.

Still unsure and need more information to make your lens material choice? Our optician is always available to help!

Glasses Lens Materials: Your Ultimate Guide

There is much more to buying eyeglasses than what first meets the eye. It’s not just choosing the right frame,...

Arise Collective™ Clarity – Prescription Lenses You Won’t Find Elsewhere

Arise Collective™ Clarity lenses offer ultra clear vision, UV protection and extreme durability.

Glasses Lens Materials: Your Ultimate Guide

There is much more to buying eyeglasses than what first meets the eye. It’s not just choosing the right frame,...

Arise Collective™ Clarity – Prescription Lenses You Won’t Find Elsewhere

Arise Collective™ Clarity lenses offer ultra clear vision, UV protection and extreme durability.

6 Best Festival Sunglasses to Express Your Personality at Coachella

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6 Best Festival Sunglasses to Express Your Personality at Coachella

Jacob

Jacob is a Turin-based Digital Marketing specialist from the UK. He uses his passion for writing to bring you all the latest news and interesting topics in the eyewear world!

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is back after a two-year layoff, and there is plenty of Coachella outfit inspiration and festival sunglasses suggestions popping up all over the internet.

Everyone knows that Coachella is a place for people to show off striking outfits without the rules of normal daily life. People use the famous festival as an opportunity to express their personality and show the world their true style.

Ditch your regular sunglasses for festival sunglasses to help complete your Coachella outfit and keep you looking fresh from head to toe. Anyway, you’ll need a pair to subtly check out all of your favourite celebs at the festival!

Here are some ideas to express yourself in a way that’s right for you:

Festival sunglasses for an exhibitionist

If you are an exhibitionist, there is no doubt that you have brainstormed your Coachella outfit ideas for months. You want to express your outgoing personality with a loud style that catches everyone’s eye as you groove past them. Make sure your festival glasses are just as on point as the rest of your look!

Oversized

Nothing says “doing it big” like a pair of oversized sunglasses! Oversized festival sunglasses are sure to give your Coachella outfit an extra pop.

Our pick: Gucci GG0712S 004

Single-Lens

Get the perfect futuristic raver look with single-lens sunglasses. They are one of the most stand-out festival sunglasses styles for your Coachella outfit.

Our pick: Lozza SL2372 0530

Festival sunglasses for those who want to blend into the crowd

So maybe you don’t want all eyes to be on you, but you still want to get a little adventurous for the occasion, right? There are plenty of ways to have a trendy Coachella outfit with more understated festival sunglasses.

Simple festival glasses with colored lenses

Simple shapes with coloured lens tints or mirrored lenses are the perfect festival glasses for a Coachella outfit that doesn’t aim to stick out too much. Our pick: Retrosuperfuture Mondo Deep Blue 7RR

Classic styles with a twist

Make classic sunglasses Coachella ready by adding a funky twist like pattern frames! They are a great way to add flair to your Coachella style.

Our pick: Fendi FF 0215/S HYPNO SHINE 0KC/EQ

Coachella sunglasses for people somewhere in between

Dial down geometric sunglasses with a minimalist frame. This is the perfect solution for keeping your Coachella outfit interesting, but not too out there!

Our pick: LMNT Shayz C2 STY11258U

Clip-on sunglasses

The most versatile in the valley, clip-on sunglasses give you the freedom to make a statement when it suits you and easily remove them when you’ve had enough. Just attach them to your prescription glasses. It’s that simple.

Our pick: Sting AGST413 Clip-On Only Polarized U17P

Conclusion

Now that you have some ideas to run with, add the finishing touch to your Coachella outfit with sunglasses that shine. After two long years without this opportunity, snatch up the chance to express yourself and show off your individuality with festival glasses.

Not sure which to choose? Use our Virtual Try-On tool to look into the future and see yourself rocking your favourite festival sunglasses!

Sorry, we could not find the following product IDs in our database: 547953, 538254, 461273, 588829, 334405. Please check and use correct values.

6 Best Festival Sunglasses to Express Your Personality at Coachella

Jacob

Jacob is a Turin-based Digital Marketing specialist from the UK. He uses his passion for writing to bring you all the latest news and interesting topics in the eyewear world!

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is back after a two-year layoff, and there is plenty of Coachella outfit inspiration and festival sunglasses suggestions popping up all over the internet.

Here are some ideas to express yourself in the way that’s right for you:

Festival sunglasses for an exhibitionist

Oversized

Nothing says “doing it big” like a pair of oversized sunglasses! Oversized festival sunglasses are sure to give your Coachella outfit an extra pop.

Our pick: Gucci GG0712S 004

Single-Lens

Get the perfect futuristic raver look with single-lens sunglasses. They are one of the most stand-out festival sunglasses styles for your Coachella outfit.

Our pick: Lozza SL2372 0530

Festival sunglasses for those who want to blend into the crowd

Simple festival glasses with colored lenses

Simple shapes with colored lens tints or mirrored lenses are the perfect festival glasses for a Coachella outfit that doesn’t aim to stick out too much.

Our pick: Retrosuperfuture Mondo Deep Blue 7RR

Classic styles with a twist

Make classic sunglasses Coachella ready by adding a funky twist like pattern frames! They are a great way to add flair to your Coachella style.

Our pick: Fendi FF 0215/S HYPNO SHINE 0KC/EQ

Coachella sunglasses for people somewhere in between

Feel like the suggestions so far aren’t really your vibe? You can find festival sunglasses that fall in the middle and give you the best of both worlds. Display your adventurous side without going too far out of your comfort zone.

Geometric shapes

Dial down geometric sunglasses with a minimalist frame. This is the perfect solution for keeping your Coachella outfit interesting, but not too out there!

Our pick: LMNT Shayz C2 STY11258U

Clip-on sunglasses

Our pick: Sting AGST413 Clip-On Only Polarized U17P

Conclusion

Not sure which to choose? Use our Virtual Try-On tool to look into the future and see yourself rocking your favourite festival sunglasses!

Sorry, we could not find the following product IDs in our database: 547953, 538254, 461273, 588829, 334405. Please check and use correct values.

8 Mother’s Day Glasses to Make Her Day

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8 Mother’s Day Glasses to Make Her Day

Hannah

Hannah is a digital marketing specialist who is passionate about keeping up to date with the latest trends in the fashion industry and turning it into engaging content. Through her writing, she brings you the latest in eyewear trends and news.

Mother’s Day is the perfect reminder that our moms deserve to be spoiled every day of the year. Whether you will spend time together, or are planning a video call to tell her how much you love her, you can get her a great gift that will help her shine.

Mother’s Day glasses are the perfect way to make your mom feel extra loved all year long. To help you find the best sunglasses for mom, we’ve put together the ultimate Mother’s Day gift guide that features functional, fashionable frames for every role model in your life.

On the go mums

For the moms that are always running around and never seem to have a break, we selected these perfect pairs to suit their lifestyle.

These Ray-Ban RB4259F Asian Fit 601/71 are perfect for when she’s picking you up from school, bringing you to your sports games, or running errands all day.

If she has prescription lenses, these SmartBuy Collection Kensington will be the perfect glasses for mum on this special day. Their lightweight frames will make her feel at ease all day. You can even opt for Transitions® lenses to give her glasses and sunglasses in one pair!

Fashion-forward mums

Does your mum stay on top of the latest trends? Maybe she goes to weekly brunches, loves to shop, and reads endless fashion magazines. Help her be the star of the runaway with these trendy glasses frames!

These Gucci GG0062S 003 are the ultimate sunglasses for the boujee mum who wants to feel like she’s holidaying in Italy all year long.

Maybe your mum is a style queen but your budget calls for more affordable sunglasses? These SmartBuy Collection Barrow Street JST-43 M10 are the perfect Mother’s Day glasses to add a subtle pop of colour to her life.

The working mums

Do you have a boss mum that rules the workforce from the office or at home? These glasses will leave your mum feeling empowered and looking stylish all at once. If your mum has mentioned she’s tired or has sore eyes after a long day at work, try blue light blocking glasses! These will help her get through the workday pain-free!

These Gucci GG0184O 005 glasses will be sure to leave your mum feeling special all year round. The clear frame and gold detailing will help her look chic wherever she is working.

If your mum has a more classic style, these Tom Ford FT5294 052 are the way to go. The elegant, round glasses will make her feel confident during any work event.

The classic mums

We can’t forget about the classic, cool mum that everyone loves. Her style and attitude are always on point, and she loves a style to wear for any occasion. If this sounds like your mum, you can’t go wrong with buying your mum sunglasses or glasses from the most classic brands.

Nothing is more classic than the Ray-Ban RB3016 Clubmaster W0365. These Mother’s Day glasses radiate style and will be a sure win for any mum out there.

Try another classic style like the SmartBuy Collection Libai frames. Square glasses work all year round, and you can be sure they will go with any of your mum’s outfits!

Looking for inspiration beyond our Mother’s Day gift guide? Get your mum glasses she’ll love from the wide selection at SmartBuyGlasses! With a range of both designer glasses and affordable styles, you can help her beam with personality while reminding her she’s loved. If you’re not sure which glasses will best suit your mum, check out our face shape guide before shopping.

Sorry, we could not find the following product IDs in our database: 537041, 442847. Please check and use correct values.

Gucci GG0026O 001
£167

Free lenses

10 colors

In stock
Tom Ford FT0764 SABRINA-02 01B
£243

In stock
Luxury

Cazal 607 001
£335

Free lenses

3 colors

4 left in stock
Ray Ban RB3447 Round Metal 001
£117

14 colors

In stock
Gucci GG0026O 001
£167

Free lenses

10 colors

In stock
Tom Ford FT0764 SABRINA-02 01B
£243

In stock

8 Mother's Day Glasses to Make Her Day

On the go mums

For the moms that are always running around and never seem to have a break, we selected these perfect pairs to suit their lifestyle.

These Ray-Ban RB4259F Asian Fit 601/71 are perfect for when she’s picking you up from school, bringing you to your sports games, or running errands all day.

Fashion-forward mums

These Gucci GG0062S 003 are the ultimate sunglasses for the boujee mum who wants to feel like she’s holidaying in Italy all year long.

The working mums

These Gucci GG0184O 005 glasses will be sure to leave your mum feeling special all year round. The clear frame and gold detailing will help her look chic wherever she is working.

If your mum has a more classic style, these Tom Ford FT5294 052 are the way to go. The elegant, round glasses will make her feel confident during any work event.

The classic mums

Nothing is more classic than the Ray-Ban RB3016 Clubmaster W0365. These Mother’s Day glasses radiate style and will be a sure win for any mum out there.

Try another classic style like the SmartBuy Collection Libai frames. Square glasses work all year round, and you can be sure they will go with any of your mum’s outfits!

Sorry, we could not find the following product IDs in our database: 537041, 442847. Please check and use correct values.

Gucci GG0026O 001
$211

Free lenses

10 colors

In stock
Tom Ford FT0764 SABRINA-02 01B
$298

In stock
Luxury

Cazal 607 001
$650

Free lenses

3 colors

4 left in stock
Ray Ban RB3447 Round Metal 001
$180

14 colors

In stock
Gucci GG0026O 001
$211

Free lenses

10 colors

In stock
Tom Ford FT0764 SABRINA-02 01B
$298

In stock

What is hyperopia?

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What is Hyperopia?

Hyperopiais better known as farsightedness. Learn all about the condition, its causes, symptoms and treatments in this article.

At any stage in life, you can develop refractive errors that blur or distort your eyesight. One of these eye conditions is farsightedness, otherwise known as hyperopia. So, what is hyperopia exactly?

If your eyes find it hard to focus and you do not see nearby objects clearly, you likely have hyperopia. You can use prescription eyewear to comfortably correct hyperopia and regain clarity when reading a book or taking a photo.

Let’s have a look at what it means to have hyperopia.

What does hyperopia mean?

Hyperopia is a common eye condition where you can see distant objects clearly but may find nearby objects blurry. In short, your eyes focus on distant objects better than on nearby ones. Sometimes, hyperopia is also referred to as hypermetropia.

So, are hyperopia and farsightedness the same? Yes, you can say hyperopia to refer to someone who is farsighted rather than nearsighted (myopia).

However, do not confuse hyperopia with presbyopia, which causes blurry vision while looking at nearby objects.

Presbyopia is the condition where nearby objects appear blurry, even with glasses. It usually develops around the age of 40 and progresses through the age of 60. To help with presbyopia, people use reading glasses or eventually upgrade to more corrective multifocal lenses.

DID YOU KNOW?

Approximately 14 million people in the United States have hyperopia.

What does hyperopia look like?

See the image below to visualize what it looks like to have hyperopia (farsightedness) compared to ‘normal’ vision:

This problem occurs when rays of light enter your eye and focus behind the retina rather than on it. A hyperopic patient’s eyeball is shorter than average. In fact, many children are born hyperopic but outgrow the condition as their eyeballs grow.

What causes hyperopia, and what are the symptoms?

Hyperopia stems from a refractive error that occurs when your cornea or lens isn’t evenly curved. This leads to improper refraction of light rays.

Causes of hyperopia

Your eye has two parts that focus on images.

The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped tissue that forms the front of the eye. It acts as a window and allows light to enter the eye. It helps your eye process light rays to allow you to see words and images.
The lens is a transparent and flexible tissue found directly behind the iris and pupil. It helps focus light and images on your retina.

In an eye without refractive error, these eye parts have flawlessly smooth curvatures. All incoming light is refracted (or bent) by the cornea and lens, which creates a tightly focused image on the retina at the rear of the eye.

Light rays aren’t correctly refracted if your cornea or lens isn’t bent evenly, which results in a refractive error. When your eye is shorter or your cornea is not curved enough, it creates hazy near vision, which is known as hyperopia or farsightedness.

For example, astigmatism is a refractive error that happens when your cornea or lens is bent more sharply in one direction. When left unchecked, this causes blurry vision.

Symptoms of hyperopia

The initial signs of farsightedness are:

Nearby objects may appear blurry
Difficulty concentrating or focusing on nearby objects, which may cause squinting
Eye strain or fatigue when working on something in close range. You may also feel burning eyes and aching around the eyes

When to see a doctor

Adults

Getting an eye exam every year, from the age of 40, can help prevent or determine the risk of eye conditions such as glaucoma.

If you don’t wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, and are at low risk of eye diseases or present no eye troubles, then you should still consider routine eye tests.

In general, you should follow this exam schedule:

An initial exam at the age of 40
Between 40-54, every 2-4 years
Between 55-64, every 1-3 years
65 onwards, every 1-2 years

If you have eye-related health conditions like diabetes or wear glasses regularly, then consult your optician or eye doctor for regular appointments.

Children

Ideally, children should be screened for eye diseases or vision correction by a pediatrician, optometrist, or trained screener with the following schedule:

Starting at 6 months
An eye test at 3 years
Before 1st grade and every 2 years during school years

If hyperopia isn’t treated, some children may face problems such as the lazy eye (amblyopia), crossed eyes (strabismus), development delays, and learning difficulties.

How to correct hyperopia

There are three main corrections to help with hyperopia:

Typically, you only need to wear prescription eyeglasses for activities with close-up objects such as reading a book or using the computer. Farsightedness prescriptions are indicated with a plus sign before the corrective value.

High-index aspheric lenses are an excellent option for stronger prescriptions. They can reduce thickness in the center of the lens, which is typical for higher hyperopic prescriptions. This will make the lenses more appealing and lighter.

For the most comfortable, clear vision, we recommend opting for high-performance Arise HD Clarity lenses. For children, we recommend polycarbonate lenses that are highly durable, lightweight, and impact resistant.

Refractive surgeries such as Lasik help correct hyperopia and reduce or eliminate the need to wear prescription eyeglasses. The surgery may implicate certain side effects, so always consult an eye doctor first.

Conclusion

If you find it difficult to see up close but the objects in the distance are crystal clear, then you may have hyperopia (farsightedness).

An activity as simple as reading a book might be difficult, as your vision finds it hard to focus on the words right in front of you. Untreated hyperopia can cause eye strain, headaches, and eye conditions such as strabismus.

Luckily, you can easily use Prescription glasses or contact lenses to correct farsightedness with any low or high prescription. For a more permanent solution, you can also consider LASIK surgery after a consultation with your eye doctor.

At SmartyBuyGlasses, you can find a range of prescription glasses and contact lenses that can meet any prescription, from single vision to progressive lenses. We are here to help you correct hyperopia through quality eyeglasses and sunglasses with endless styles and colors.

Astigmatism: Causes, Types, Symptoms & Treatment

Learn what astigmatism is, the difference types, and what you can do to correct this vision problem.

Myopia

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the most common form of vision impairment in the world. Learn about its effects, causes, and...

Astigmatism: Causes, Types, Symptoms & Treatment

Learn what astigmatism is, the difference types, and what you can do to correct this vision problem.

Myopia

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the most common form of vision impairment in the world. Learn about its effects, causes, and...

Love, Thunder, & Marvel Sunglasses

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Love, Thunder, & Marvel Sunglasses

Aurora Gould

It’s an exciting time for Marvel fans! You may have seen the new Thor: Love and Thunder trailer 10 thousand times. So, let’s gear up together with Marvel sunglasses and Marvel eyeglasses for an adventure and a bit of magic. Thor isn’t the only Marvel character taking over our screens. So, whether you are glued to your seat under the new moonlight or tied in the midst of a universe of madness, SmartBuyGlasses has you covered with fun and protective eyewear! We’ve reimagined your favorite Marvel characters with glasses! So, no matter the weather or universe, we have the right pair of glasses for you to enjoy your heroic adventures.

Self-care with Thor

You might remember the almighty Thor with sunglasses after the endgame battle. Well, who doesn’t need to treat themselves to some deserved self-care? What better way to kick back and relax than with a pair of trendy Ray-Ban folding wayfarer sunnies. Our hero chose a classic black frame, but we have vamped up the look with a Light Havana color and brown lenses. It’s truly a great pair to rock with any outfit. The fold-up frame is also a cool, practical feature. Sudden alien attack? Fold ’em up and tuck away easily.

Take off with Star-Lord

You can’t let your kids fly an intergalactic rocket around the galaxy without the best protective eyewear. Make your kids’ playtime come to life with a funky pair of UVEX sportstyle sunnies. They are sturdy and offer quality UV protection with vibrant mirrored lenses. Combine the matte orange frame with the shiny orange of Star-Lords’ spaceship and go full throttle!

Ladies & Gentlemen, it’s her

As Thor kicks back and relaxes, the Asgardian people have a new ruler, and she’s all types of cool.

Inspired by the Valkyrie outfit, we’ve picked out an icy pair of Tom Ford Penelope sunglasses just for you.

Some kings and queens pamper themselves in gold, but be different and do it with a silver frame. The oval design would best suit square faces, creating a balance between the shapes.

But if you’ve tried this pair on using our Virtual Try-On and loved them, don’t let your face shape stop you!

Girl power with Lady Thor

For those looking for everyday eyewear, we’ve got just the pair for you! Make way for the new Goddess of Thunder: Lady Thor! Who says only guys can swing around a mighty hammer and spark up a battle? Although we aren’t 100% sure of her identity, why not get yourself a pair of Gunnar Apex Blue-Light glasses for the big reveal. This pair of Gunnar glasses have blue light blocking lenses to prevent eye strain and headaches. So, sit back, relax, put on your trendy blue light glasses, and enjoy a Marvel marathon as you patiently wait for July 8th.

Figure out who you are

Figure out who you are and indulge in some self-care by upgrading your look with some trendy new prescription glasses and sunnies. We can always use a bit more love, magic, and thunder to stir up our style. Whether you want to channel your inner hero, or simply need new frames, SmartBuyGlasses offers a range of protective and fun eyewear for the whole family to enjoy, (just like any Marvel movie!). If none of the above picks initiated a spark, then explore all the latest trends on our blog. Music festivals are more your scene? Check out our latest Best Festival Sunglasses post.

Sorry, we could not find the following product IDs in our database: 585662, 570156, 579071, 538626, 590199, 419888, 509150. Please check and use correct values.

Love, Thunder, & Marvel Sunglasses

Aurora Gould

Thor isn’t the only Marvel character taking over our screens. So, whether you are glued to your seat under the new moonlight or tied in the midst of a universe of madness, SmartBuyGlasses has you covered with fun and protective eyewear!

We’ve reimagined your favorite Marvel characters with glasses! So, no matter the weather or universe, we have the right pair of glasses for you to enjoy your heroic adventures.

Self-care with Thor

You might remember the almighty Thor with sunglasses after the endgame battle. Well, who doesn’t need to treat themselves to some deserved self-care?

What better way to kick back and relax than with a pair of trendy Ray-Ban folding wayfarer sunnies. Our hero chose a classic black frame, but we have vamped up the look with a Light Havana color and brown lenses.

It’s truly a great pair to rock with any outfit. The fold-up frame is also a cool, practical feature. Sudden alien attack? Fold ’em up and tuck away easily.

Take off with Star-Lord

You can’t let your kids fly an intergalactic rocket around the galaxy without the best protective eyewear.

Make your kids’ playtime come to life with a funky pair of UVEX sportstyle sunnies. They are sturdy and offer quality UV protection with vibrant mirrored lenses.

Combine the matte orange frame with the shiny orange of Star-Lords’ spaceship and go full throttle!

Ladies & Gentlemen, it’s her

As Thor kicks back and relaxes, the Asgardian people have a new ruler, and she’s all types of cool.

Inspired by the Valkyrie outfit, we’ve picked out an icy pair of Tom Ford Penelope sunglasses just for you.

Some kings and queens pamper themselves in gold, but be different and do it with a silver frame. The oval design would best suit square faces, creating a balance between the shapes.

But if you’ve tried this pair on using our Virtual Try-On and loved them, don’t let your face shape stop you!

Girl power with Lady Thor

For those looking for everyday eyewear, we’ve got just the pair for you!

Make way for the new Goddess of Thunder: Lady Thor! Who says only guys can swing around a mighty hammer and spark up a battle?

Although we aren’t 100% sure of her identity, why not get yourself a pair of Gunnar Apex Blue-Light glasses for the big reveal.

This pair of Gunnar glasses have blue light blocking lenses to prevent eye strain and headaches.

So, sit back, relax, put on your trendy blue light glasses, and enjoy a Marvel marathon as you patiently wait for July 8th.

Figure out who you are

Whether you want to channel your inner hero, or simply need new frames, SmartBuyGlasses offers a range of protective and fun eyewear for the whole family to enjoy, (just like any Marvel movie!).

If none of the above picks initiated a spark, then explore all the latest trends on our blog. Music festivals are more your scene? Check out our latest Best Festival Sunglasses post.

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Ray-Ban: Original Wayfarer VS New Wayfarer

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Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer vs New Wayfarer

Ray-Ban Wayfarer frames come in vintage and modern styles and are some of the most iconic products in the eyewear industry.

The Original Wayfarer has been at the forefront of the Ray-Ban brand since 1952. It gained popularity among celebrities in the ’60s and ’70s and has now become an everyday fashion statement.

Since 2001, Ray-Ban fans have also been able to shop the New Wayfarer, a model that took the essence of the original design and adapted it to modern times.

Let’s take a closer look at the New Wayfarer and see how it compares to the original. Whether you already own a pair or two, or have never had Ray-Bans before, we have you covered.

Ray-Ban Wayfarer compared: original vs new Wayfarer

Before we look at the differences, it’s good to note that the Original Wayfarer and the New Wayfarer share a few key things:

They’re available as both sunglasses and prescription glasses;
They come in multiple sizes;
They have a unisex design;
Their style is iconic;
They’re cool as ever;
They’re crafted by Italian manufacturer EssilorLuxottica.

With those similarities in mind, let’s zoom in on the main differences between these two popular models.

Design

Original Wayfarer

Sported by presidents and music icons, the Original Wayfarer features thick and bold rims in a 50mm to 54mm frame, with a lens height between 41 and 47.2mm. The temple length is 150mm, and the bridge width is 18 to 22mm.

If that sounds a bit heavy, it is. The design also has a slight lens tilt. Depending on your preferences, you may love it or feel more ambiguous about it.

New Wayfarer

The New Wayfarer has softer lines all around, packed into a frame that feels smaller and more streamlined. You can choose between a 52mm, 55mm or 58mm frame size.

Temples are shorter at 145mm while the bridge width is a standard 18mm. The lens size is down to 38-43.2mm, and the lens tilt is gone, giving it a flatter feel on your face.

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Material

Original Wayfarer

The original Ray-Ban Wayfarer is made from high-quality acetate, a thermoplastic polymer derived from natural sources like cotton fibres or wood pulp. This frame is strong and durable yet still feels lightweight compared to metal frames.

New Wayfarer

The new model is made from injected nylon derived from petrochemicals. It’s a more affordable material, albeit not the most eco-friendly option around. This material is lighter than the original and can be coloured more easily, though it may feel less premium.

Fit

Original Wayfarer

Because of its size and acetate construction, the Original Wayfarer has a larger and somewhat heavier fit. This can be flattering for broader faces and is a favourite among wearers who like a bolder or more masculine feel.

New Wayfarer

The New Wayfarer was designed to be more comfortable for most face shapes, including smaller faces. Together with a flatter lens profile, it often feels more comfortable during extended wear.

Fit differences aside, both models can elevate your look—whether you’re pairing them with jeans and a T-shirt or a more formal blazer.

Did you know? The Ray-Ban Wayfarer Ease is a model specifically designed for comfort.

Style

Original Wayfarer

Thick, retro and iconic, the Original Wayfarer works for anyone who loves an oldie-but-goodie aesthetic. Compared to more minimalist frames, it’s substantial and unapologetic, helping you make a clear fashion statement.

New Wayfarer

Fast forward to the New Wayfarer, and you’ll find a frame that preserves the main elements of the original model but with an understated design that’s more streamlined and somewhat lighter on the face.

Colours

Original Wayfarer

The Original Wayfarer comes in classic colours like black, tortoiseshell and a few other simple variations, including different lens hues. This is a more restrained palette than what’s available for the new Wayfarer, as the original doesn’t try too hard to pop out, letting the frame’s iconic shape speak for itself.

New Wayfarer

In addition to classic colours, the New Wayfarer embraces a few more frame variations, from colour mixes like blue and orange to black and brown.

Explore some of the more colourful Ray-Ban New Wayfarer sunglasses.

Final thoughts

While the New Wayfarer has refreshed the classic design for modern audiences, those who prefer the classic cool of the Original Wayfarer’s strongly defined aesthetic can still find it in more varieties than ever before.

If anything, the coexistence of the new model with the original classic is a great excuse to own multiple pairs of Ray-Bans.

With their timeless style and, more recently, increased comfort and better fit, Wayfarer glasses can make you feel cool even on the hottest summer days.

Check out our store for all available Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses and Ray-Ban Wayfarer prescription glasses. You’re sure to find the right pair for you: they’re iconic for a reason.

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UV protection categories | Category 3 vs 4 | 100% UV protection vs polarised

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UV Protection Sunglasses - How Different Protection Categories Work

UV protection categories | Category 3 vs 4 | 100% UV protection vs polarised

What is category 0 UV protection?

What is category 1 UV protection?

What is category 2 UV protection?

What is category 3 UV protection?

What is category 4 UV protection?

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Should I get category 3 or 4 sunglasses?

Is 100% UV protection better than polarised?

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References

Lead a colorful life with aboriginal glasses that give back

Aurora Gould

Ovally fascinated

Creative Cat-eye

Wink of Pink

Blue like the sky

Bring eyewear to life

A partnership you don’t want to miss

Lead a colorful life with aboriginal glasses that give back

Aurora Gould

Ovally fascinated

Creative Cat-eye

Wink of Pink

Blue like the sky

Bring eyewear to life

A partnership you don’t want to miss

Ask our dispensing opticians

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