SUNGLASSES

Make the right eyewear choice and achieve the best level of sun protection for your eyes

Whether you require sunglasses for sport, leisure activities, everyday wear, driving or just want to look cool, Urban Eyewear should be your first destination for sunglasses. We can apply your prescription to your lenses, if desired, and you will feel confident in the knowledge that we only provide the highest quality sunglasses and that all products sold meet the Australian Standards. 

If you have any questions about sunglasses or about protecting your eyes from the sun, please contact us.

Why Sunglasses?

More than just a fashion accessory, sunglasses protect your eyes from damaging ultra-violet rays, glare and the heat of the sun. Your prescription can also be fitted to sunglasses ensuring you achieve optimal vision.

Sunglasses should be worn by all members of the family, particularly children, to guard against the damage caused by the sun.

» Ultra-violet (UV) rays contribute to conditions such as cataracts and pterygiums so it is essential to wear sunglasses when outdoors to protect against these harmful rays.

» Sunglasses have tinted lenses to block some visible light and enhance your visual performance.  To be effective, sunglasses should block at least 65% of visible light.  However, the level or colour of the tint is not an indication of the level of UV protection.

»Glare is created by reflected light and can reduce our ability to see clearly and comfortably.  Sunglasses can help to reduce the effects of glare and eliminate the need to squint.

Choosing Sunglasses

Sunglasses are an optical appliance and should be purchased from an eyecare professional.  Urban Eyewear has access to manufacturers' technical information and can provide you with all the advice you need to make the right decision.  Only sunglasses meeting the Australian Standards are available from Urban Eyewear.

If required, your prescription can be applied to your new sunglasses and they will be adjusted to provide an exact fit, ensuring your comfort and the best possible protection from the sun's rays.

Sunglass Lens Options  

» Lens Materials: There is a range of lens materials available today.  Most sunglass lenses are either plastic or polycarbonate.  Polycarbonate offers a higher level of impact resistance, particularly for children and when playing sport.

» Lens Colours:Sunglass lenses are available in a wide range of colours from traditional greys and browns to fashionable pinks, lilacs and blues.  Grey is recommended when true colour representation is important and is good for those who spend long hours in bright sunlight or for driving.  Green, like grey, is a good multi-purpose lens colour. Brown or Amber can ehance contrast and depth perception.  Amber tint are often recommended for snow sports and driving in hazy conditions. Rose can enhance contrast in some circumstances, and some people may find it more comfortable to wear then amber.

» Polarised Lenses: Polarised lenses reduce reflected light from horizontal surfaces such as water, roads and pavements.  Polarised lenses are recommended for people who spend a lot of time outdoors, whether your passion is fishing or golf, or a big part of your day is spent driving or working outside.  

» Prescription Lenses: If you wear glasses, particularly to correct your distance vision, you will benefit by having your prescription applied to your sunglasses.  This will ensure your vision is at its best when wearing sunglasses, especially for tasks such as driving.

Australian Standards

All sunglasses sold in Australia must comply with the AS 1067 standard which specifies transmittance of UV radiation and other properties.  Sunglasses purchased overseas may not comply with the Australian standard.

Sunglasses meeting the requirements of AS 1067 shoudl be labelled as such.  You may also see some product tagged as "EPF 10" (Eye Protection Factor rating 10) and these actually exceed the requirements of AS 1067, thus providing even greater protection.

There are 3 broad classifications of sunglasses all of which indicate varying levels of protection and are designed for different purposes.

• General purpose are designed to reduce sun glare and protect from harmful UV rays in ordinary circumstances.
• Specific purpose are intended for situations where general purpose sunglasses may not provide adequate protection due to the presence of higher levels of UV eg. flying or skiing
• Fashion sunglasses provide the lowest level of UV protection and are generally recommended for cosmetic purposes only.

Tax Deductibility

If you wear sunglasses while working outdoors you may be eligible to claim a tax deduction on your sunglass purchases. To determine if these deductions apply to you, visit the Australian Tax Office website at www.ato.gov.au or call 13 28 61.

Caring for Your Sunglasses

Having invested in quality sunglasses, it's important to maintain them in premium condition.

• Store them in a case when not in use to prevent damage
• Never leave them in your car where they may be exposed to extreme temperatures
• To clean, use a lens spray or rinse your sunglasses in warm water and dry them with a soft lint free cloth