The Hawaii Traveler

Are you going to the islands, or to an equally sunny climate? If you don’t have a pair that you love already, you’re going to need some, even if you think you don’t or plan to wear a wide-brimmed hat.

Why do you need sunglasses?

• UV Protection. The sun’s UV radiation can cause cataracts, cancer of the eyelids and skin, photokeratitis (or snow blindness, which is a temporary but painful sunburn of the eye’s surface.)
• Blue-Light Protection. Prolonged blue-light exposure is a risk factor for macular degeneration, especially in individuals who are “sun sensitive.”
• Comfortable vision. The sun’s brightness and glare interferes with comfortable vision and the ability to see clearly.
• Dark adaptation. Exposure to bright sunlight can impair your ability to adapt quickly to nighttime or indoor light levels, making driving at dusk or after dark more hazardous.

And now a personal endorsement (which is totally unpaid): I love my tortoise shell Maui Jim sunglasses. I’ve heard from several sources, including my mother-in-law (which is how you know it’s true), that Maui Jims are the best polarized lens on the market. She simply says, “They’re like buttah.”

When buying sunglasses, look for lenses that:

• block 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation;
• screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light;
• are perfectly matched in color and absorption and are free of distortion and imperfection;
• look super cool on you. It’s not impossible to find a stylish pair that meets the above “specs.” In fact, there have never been so many styles and types on the market.

See these other considerations when looking for the right pair. And don’t overlook the children when sunglass shopping. Their growing, developing eyes need protecting too. You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot on sunglasses, but good lenses are likely to cost more.

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