With so many varieties of shapes, colors and prices, it's not always easy to find your way around trendy eyeglasses or sunglasses. Choosing a good UV index is a good start, but other criteria are added to protect your eyes well and be comfortable in all conditions.

CE standard

The filtering power of sunglasses is guaranteed by European regulations. It is therefore necessary to choose sunglasses with CE marked lenses followed by a number from 0 to 4 indicating the degree of protection.

CE2 lenses are suitable for the campaign. The CE3 label offers good protection, but it is essential to choose CE4 protection and an infrared filter for the high mountains, the open sea, or the tropical sun. Find out more about the degrees of protection of sunglasses.

What are the risks?

If your eyes are not properly protected, you risk having ophthalmia, ie a burn of the cornea. Symptoms are red, watery eyes and itchy eyes. This condition can become chronic and it can even damage the cornea irreversibly.

Poor sun protection also leads to a risk of having recurrent conjunctivitis, edema or early cataracts. 

The shape of the sunglasses

So that the UV rays do not pass through the side, they must be chosen with an enveloping shape. This is particularly recommended for nautical activities or in the mountains because the reverberation returned by the water and the snow is very important.

For the high mountains, it is advisable to bring a pair of sunglasses closed on the side (such as glacier glasses). In the mountains, the rays are less filtered by the atmosphere and the amount of UV increases by 4% every 300 meters.

To choose the shape according to your morphology, see the section choose your glasses according to the shape of your face.

Sun lens color

• Gray lenses: They ensure faithful color reproduction, they will be recommended for driving.
• Brown lenses: They warm up and improve contrast (they are better suited to nearsighted people). They offer good protection in all circumstances.
• Green colored lenses: They will protect you better against glare.
• Yellow or orange lenses: They will allow you to improve the visibility of contrasts in foggy weather or low light.
• Blue or purple lenses: they will bring you style and protection when the sunshine is moderate.
• Pink or red lenses are great for the look, but should only be worn in low light.

Farsighted people will have better comfort with gray lenses, if you are myopic, choose a gray-green or brown lens instead.

Surface treatment

You can have your glasses treated on the surface:

• The anti-reflective treatment is ideal for driving because it reduces the reflection of the rays towards the eyes.
• The mirror treatment is particularly suitable for the mountains because it reduces reverberation and glare.
• The anti-scratch treatment is very good for sport or travel because it resists friction and of course scratches.

More details on surface treatments.

Sunglasses adapted to the view

There are different solutions when you need corrective action and want to protect yourself from the sun and UVs. Learn more about prescription sunglasses.

Sunglasses materials and frames

A silica "mineral" glass is scratch resistant.

A "tempered" glass resists shocks.

"Organic" glasses (made of plastic) are unbreakable and lighter, they are particularly suitable for athletes and children. Always prefer well-covering frames, following the shape of the face so as not to let the rays pass on the sides.