Sunglasses

For other uses, see Sunglasses (disambiguation).
"Dark glasses" and "Shades" redirect here. For the film, see Dark Glasses. For other uses, see Shade (disambiguation).

Wearing sunglasses under direct sunlight: Large lenses offer good protection, but broad temple arms are also needed against "stray light" from the sides.

Sunglasses or sun glasses (informally called shades or sunnies; more names below) are a form of protective eyewear designed primarily to prevent bright sunlight and high-energy visible light from damaging or discomforting the eyes. They can sometimes also function as a visual aid, as variously termed spectacles or glasses exist, featuring lenses that are colored, polarized or darkened. In the early 20th century, they were also known as sun cheaters (cheaters then being an American slang term for glasses).[1]

Since the 1930s, sunglasses have been a popular fashion accessory,[2] especially on the beach.

The American Optometric Association recommends wearing sunglasses that block ultraviolet radiation (UV) whenever a person is in the sunlight[3] to protect the eyes from UV and blue light, which can cause several serious eye problems. Their usage is mandatory immediately after some surgical procedures, such as LASIK, and recommended for a certain time period in dusty areas, when leaving the house and in front of a TV screen or computer monitor after LASEK. Dark glasses that do not block UV radiation can be more damaging to the eyes than not wearing eye protection at all, because they tend to open the pupil and allow more UV rays into the eye.

  1. ^ Partridge, Eric (2006). The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English. Tom Dalzell, Terry Victor. Routledge. p. 377.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference life19380530 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ American Optometric Association, "UV Protection – Sunglasses Shopping Guide Archived July 28, 2016, at the Wayback Machine". Accessed August 27, 2015.