What is the difference between sport sunglasses and regular sunglasses?
Choosing the right sunglasses for every events is a task dictated by two factors - style and practicality. The first comes down to personal choice. The latter is a more practical consideration and one that needs to take into account everything from your hobbies to your work environment. If you’re someone who spends a considerable amount of your time being active and exercising, sports sunglasses should be at the top of your wish list. Here, we look at the differences between sports sunglasses and regular sunglasses, as well as when you need to consider more specialist eyewear.
The importance of sunglasses
Prescription glasses, whether they’re for every day or in direct sunlight, are designed to prioritise eye health. They work to minimise eye strain, slow down the progression of degenerative diseases and improve vision across the board. Sunglasses, however, have the additional role of preventing excessive UV exposure to the eye. They feature a specialist coating that absorbs potentially harmful UVA and UVB rays which, if left unchecked, can cause damage to the cornea and retina. This has the potential to lead to short and long-term eye health complications, including cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Sunglasses may have gained a reputation for style, but they are also a vital tool for maintaining eye health. If you spend a lot of time outdoors - particularly if you’re exercising or playing sports - sunglasses are an important addition to your equipment kit.
Key differences between sports sunglasses and regular sunglasses
All sunglasses are designed to prevent damage from UV exposure, but sports sunglasses have additional features to suit those with active lifestyles. Some of these differences include:
Shape - Regular sunglasses follow the same shape and design as regular glasses. They have a horizontal plane that sits on the bridge of your nose and offers linear vision improvement. Alternatively, sports sunglasses are designed to curve around the face to offer a snug fit. The curved frames block UV rays from entering the eye around the side and provide 360-degree glare coverage too - vital for outdoor runners or those engaging in snow sports.
Fit - When we exercise, vigorous movements can easily cause regular sunglasses to fall off the face. Sports sunglasses tend to feature non-slip nosepieces and nose pads that are made to fit the nose. This allows them to sit securely in place, regardless of sweat, activity, or wet weather conditions.
Durability - While it’s easy to drop glasses in any environment, the risk increases considerably when exercising. Whether they’re slipping off your nose while running or being knocked off by an incoming ball, sports sunglasses need to be more durable and less prone to breakages.
The perfect pair of sunglasses should complement your style and work practically with your lifestyle. At The Eye Establishment, we have a wide range of leading eyewear brands, including Garrett Leight. Also known as GLCO, these classically styled glasses embrace Californian style with round and polarized lenses. From Garrett Leight sunglasses for women that elevate your style to Garrett Leight men’s sunglasses for effective UV protection, we have a host of frames to suit active and leisure wear alike.
From sports sunglasses to prescription eyewear, The Eye Establishment is one of Kensington’s leading opticians and a proud Garrett Leight store. Whether you need an eye examination or want to explore our frames, contact us today.