The right pair of shades will block the sun and help you shine. At Cook Inlet Eyewear, the premier vision center in Anchorage, customers will find the perfect pair of sunglasses based on their face shape, style preferences, and protection needs. For more than 22 years, the friendly and knowledgeable team has been helping people with all their eyewear needs, from pediatric to adult eyewear, eyeglasses to contact lenses, and reading glasses to sunglasses.

Here are some things to consider when shopping for sunglasses.  

Types Of Sunglasses

There are many types of sunglasses, from casual to sporty. Casual sunglasses are best for everyday use, such as driving to work or walking through town. However, if you play action sports, look for sport sunglasses, which are designed for the intensity of running, hiking, and biking.

Sunglass Lens Features

There are several types of sunglass lenses: polarized, photochromic, and interchangeable. If you spend a lot of time on the water or are sensitive to glare, look for a pair of polarized lenses. Photochromic lenses will automatically change based on the light condition (i.e., they get darker on bright days and lighter on darker days). Interchangeable lenses, which are mostly found on sport sunglasses, are removable lenses of different colors and are best for people who need to make adjustments for different light conditions.

Visible Light Transmission

The most important thing sunglasses do is protect your eyes. The team at Cook Inlet Eyewear recommends customers look for pairs that block at least 99% of UVB rays and at least 95% of UVA rays. Another way to determine protection is through visible light transmission (VLT), which measures the amount of light that reaches your eyes through the lenses. Anywhere from 0% to 20% is good for bright, sunny days, and 20% to 40% VLT is good for all-purpose use.

Sunglass Lens Colors

The color of the lenses isn’t just about looking good. It also affects how you detect contrast and differentiate colors. Dark colors, such as brown, gray, and green, are ideal for everyday use and outdoor activities. Light colors, such as yellow, gold, amber, rose, and vermillion, are better for moderate- to low-level light conditions as well as snow sports.

The team at Cook Inlet Eyewear will help you find the right pair of shades that will protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, reduce eye strain, protect you from hazards, and make you look good.

For more information about the best vision center in Anchorage, visit the Cook Inlet Eyewear website or call (907) 276-1021.