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Sunglasses — they’re more than a fashion accessory By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske | Photo by Ron McKinney Photography
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orm, function and fashion: Sunglasses help us see better, protect our eyes and yes, they make us look good too. But when it comes to finding the best frames, it’s more than just fashion. For more than 20 years Shellie White has been helping people find the perfect frames at Geneva Eye Clinic. The clinic is home to a team of specialists who perform eye exams as well as handle medical and surgical treatment of eye disorders. Additionally, it has an optical shop where patients can select glasses, many of which are made on-site. The clinic keeps in stock a variety of sunglasses and frequently receives the latest styles. Among one of the top selling brands is Maui Jim. “The lens are some of the best at protecting eyes from UVB rays and they have anti-reflection on the back of the lens too and polarized lens, which really helps resist glare,” White says. While we’ve grown accustomed to thinking about protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays for our skin and in our sunscreens, Dr. Dianne Anderson, optometrist at the Geneva Eye Clinic, says UV protection is extremely important for one’s eyes. These harmful rays can lead to several eye conditions including dry eye and cataracts along with an
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FASHION APRIIL 2022
increase in risk factors for macular degeneration. Anderson, a longtime Batavia resident, says she reminds her patients that quality ultravioletblocking sunglasses are more than just a cost to consider when it comes to caring for one’s eyes. “UV protection is super important in general,” Anderson says. Many will recognize the name Ray-Ban when it comes to sunglasses. It’s a brand that’s worth noting for its style and popularity, White adds. “Ray-Ban has numerous different designs and is very popular.” White adds there is no single sunglasses style to fit all activities or personalities. For example, the pair she wears when she’s out on the river in her canoe is different than the pair she prefers for driving or walking around town. Someone who enjoys running, boating and golfing may prefer a lighter style of sunglasses that is more aerodynamic, White says. Some enjoy the lens that transition from clear to sunglasses, but White notes these may not work if you are seeking a pair to wear when driving. In recent years vehicle windshields have been created with UV ray protection within the glass. Without the UV rays to activate the lens transitions glasses, they won’t darken. Another reason for quality sunglasses is to avoid
unnecessary squinting, which can lead to frontal headaches and wrinkles around the eyes, Anderson says. She recommends patients check their insurance coverage, which may include benefits for sunglasses or price reductions. “You want to get the best quality, anti-reflection and broad protection for UVB rays,” she says. And beyond prescription sunglasses, it’s easy to find great designs that look sharp and protect your eyes in the sun, White says. As for fashion trends, she notes the aviator style is a timeless classic, and she carries a few pairs that offer a more feminine style. For this year, she says the styles are oversized sunglasses in bright, bold prints and colors. “I’m seeing big, chunky sizes, frames with bold shapes and those with cat eyes,” White says. And another popular style is the larger frame with the tortoiseshell patterns. Oversized frames are more than a cute style — they offer some protection around the delicate skin near our eyes, Anderson notes. And investing in a good pair of sunglasses is more than a warm-weather necessity. During the winter months, glare from the snow on a sunny day requires the same protection as one needs on a July afternoon outdoors.
