There’s another big question when shopping for the best women’s sunglasses for eye protection: are polarized sunglasses better for your eyes? Dr. Chinn says yes, particularly for those who spend a lot of time outdoors and are light sensitive, experiencing vision discomfort and strain from various types of glare, like the sunlight bouncing off the water or driving into the sun in the middle of the afternoon. “Polarized lenses only emit about 50% of the light coming towards you so that you can see ‘through’ the glare, have better contrast perception, color vibrance, and your eyes are more comfortable,” she explains.
While brands like Ray-Ban and Maui Jim make stylish polarized sunglasses, you may find a pair of frames with darker or gradient lenses that suit your style better. But be cautious of choosing sunglasses for these reasons alone. “A common misconception is that the darker the sunglass lens, the more protected you are from UVA and UVB rays, which isn’t true,” says Dr. Chinn. “The darker tint of the lens is typically more comfortable for people who are light sensitive, and it helps to shade your eyes more, but it doesn’t have any added benefit to filtering out UV rays. You can have a completely clear lens that still provides 100% UVA and UVB protection.” While various tinted lenses can enhance your visual environment and help keep your eyes comfortable outdoors, the lens color also does not indicate the amount of UV protection you get.
As for gradient lenses, Dr. Chinn says they provide more protection from glare from above and are more versatile. “They can be worn in many different types of environments, whereas polarized lenses are best only when outdoors,” she tells Glamour. “Some people may find it hard to read their cell phones or e-readers while outdoors wearing polarized sunglasses.”