When you're at the steering wheel, the glare of the sun and the intensity of reflected light aren't just uncomfortable—they’re potentially dangerous. For this reason, it's important to invest in the right sunglasses for driving. Here are a few shopping tips that will help you find the best pair for staying safe and stylish when you're on the road.

How to Choose Sunglasses for Driving

1. Lens Color

The color of lenses determines how much light reaches the eyes. Brown or amber lenses provide good depth perception and offer sharp color contrast. Meanwhile, yellow lenses enhance definition and clarity.

Gray lenses are ideal for minimizing glare from reflected light, especially on water, and they can reduce eye strain and fatigue. In general, red lenses should be avoided, as they can make it impossible to see red lights on traffic signals, other vehicles, and sirens.

2. UV Protection

Look for sunglasses that offer as close to 100% protection as possible from both UVA and UVB rays. This is one of the most crucial steps you can take to protect your eyes, both when driving and when out and about in the world.

Polarized lenses on their own help reduce glare significantly, but they don't offer any ultraviolet light protection, so if you prefer polarized lenses, aim to find a type that integrates a UV-blocking material.

3. Coating

Sunglasses are exposed to the elements in a way that regular eyeglasses are not. As a result, they must be resistant to wear and tear. This is where proper coating comes in.

A scratch-resistant coating will reduce the chances of the lenses getting damaged and impairing your driving. An anti-reflective coating can be helpful as well, decreasing the intensity of light entering your field of vision and improving all-around visibility.

Keeping these three factors in mind will lead you to the perfect pair of driving sunglasses. Optics Eyewear has been offering a full line of glasses to the Triad area of North Carolina since 1955. They also provide vision care services, including exams, eye health testing, and treatments for common eye conditions like astigmatism and cataracts. Call (336) 884-5677 or visit them online to learn more about the brands they proudly carry.