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What are sunglasses?

Sunglasses are a kind of protective eyewear used to block bright sun and protect the eyes from other harmful particles in the air. They can have prescriptions to help correct vision but are more common as a fashion accessory. Sunglasses are also called shades, sun-shades, sunnies and sun-spectcales.

The history of sunglasses

The first tinted glasses were worn in China. They were tinted with smoke and used specifically during court cases to hide a judge's expression. Remains of tinted glasses used for this purpose date from around 1430. A man named James Ayscough experimented with tinted lenses during the 18th century, but he was looking for ways of correcting vision with his tinted glass. The first pair of glasses specifically made to protect the eyes from the sun were sold in Atlantic City, New Jersey by a man named Sam Foster in 1929. Within a short amount of time sunglasses were in wide demand.

Now there are as many different styles of sunglasses as there are regular prescriptive eye glasses, if not more so because sunglasses have proven to be a popular accessory for just about everyone.

Iconic Styles

There are several particularly popular styles of sunglasses. Some of the most lasting styles were made popular by movie stars, politicians and other celebrities.

The Onassis glasses, named for Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis are large glasses worn by women. Over time these glasses have become the favored shade between many actresses and the eager paparazzi that photograph them.

Another of the most common designs in sunglasses are aviators. Designed by Ray Ban in 1936 for United States military pilots. They have thin metal frames and wide teardrop shaped lenses.
Thin frames and rectangular lenses characterize the wayfarer, possibly the single greatest selling style in history. The wayfarer was made popular by James Dean.

Buying sunglasses

When buying sunglasses it is important to think about what is most important to you in your lenses. Many fashionable sunglasses do not filter out UV rays but the alternative styles, which may provide greater protection to your eyes could be less aesthetically appealing. Sunglasses can be purchased at prices ranging from five dollars all the way up passed five hundred.

It is important to know what kind of protections any pair of sunglasses promises to provide because cost is not an indicator of protection. The delicacy of the area around the eyes means they are important to protect. Sunglasses with HEV protection are able to prevent some muscular degeneration that is the result of aging.