Sunglasses: Difference between revisions

Since the [[1950s]] sunglasses have been popular as a fashion statement, especially on the [[beach]].

Hiding one's eyes has implications in face-to-face communication: It can hide [[weeping]], being one of the signs of [[mourning]], makes [[eye contact]] impossible which can be intimidating, as in the stereotype of the guardian of a [[chain gang]], or can show detachment, which is considered [[Cool (aesthetic)|cool]] in some circles. Darkened sunglasses of particular shapes may be in vogue as a [[fashion accessory]]. Note that normal glasses are very rarely worn without a practical purpose — curiously, they can project an image of uncool [[nerd]]iness that sunglasses do not have. The impact on [[nonverbal communication]] and the cool image are among the reasons for wearing sunglasses by night or indoors.  People may also wear sunglasses to hide dilated or contracted pupils or bloodshot eyes (which would reveal drug use, or recent physical abuse (e.g. punching in face, particularly in ladies), or to compensate for increased [[photosensitivity]].

People with severe visual impairment, such as the [[blindness|blind]], often wear sunglasses in order to avoid making others uncomfortable — not seeing eyes may be better than seeing eyes which seem to look in the wrong direction. Those whose eyes have an abnormal appearance (for example due to [[cataract]]) or which jerk uncontrollably ([[nystagmus]]) may also do so.

Sunglasses can improve visual comfort and visual clarity by protecting the eye from [[Glare (vision)|glare]].<ref name="Sakamoto">Sakamoto Y, Sasaki K, Kojima M, Sasaki H, Sakamoto A, Sakai M, Tatami A. "The effects of protective eyewear on glare and crystalline lens transparency. ''Dev Ophthalmol.'' 2002;35:93-103. PMID 12061282.</ref> Various types of disposable sunglasses are dispensed to patients after receiving [[mydriatic]] eye drops during [[eye examination]]s.

Excessive exposure to [[ultraviolet radiation]] (UV) can cause short-term and long-term ocular problems such as [[photokeratitis]], [[snow blindness]], [[cataract]]s, [[pterygium]], and various [[eye cancer]]s.<ref name="CCA">Cancer Council Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia.[http://www.cancer.org.au/documents/Pos_St_Eye_Protection_AUG05.pdf "Position Statement: Eye Protection." August 2005.]</ref> Medical experts often advise the public on the importance of wearing sunglasses to protect the eyes from UV<ref name="CCA"/>. In the European Union, a [[CE mark]] identifies glasses fulfilling quality regulations. In the preparation for [[solar eclipse]]s, health authorities often warn against looking at the sun through sunglasses alone.  

Some sunglasses also pass [[ANSI]] Z87.1 requirements for basic impact and high impact protection.  These are voluntary standards, so not all sunglasses comply, nor are manufacturers required to comply.  In the basic impact test, a 1 in (2.54 cm) steel ball is dropped on the lens from 50 in (127 cm).  In the high velocity test, a 1/4 in (6.35mm) steel ball is shot at the lens at 150 ft/s (45.72 m/s).  In both tests, no part of the lens can touch the eye.

[[Water sunglasses]], also know as surf sunglasses, surf goggles and water eyewear consist of eyewear specially adapted to be used in turbulent water, such as the surf.  Many sports utilize these sunglasses including [[surfing]], [[windsurfing]], [[kiteboarding]], [[wakeboarding]], [[kayaking]], [[jet skiing]] and [[water skiing]].

The color of the lens can vary by style, fashion, and purpose, but for general use, [[green]], [[grey]], [[yellow]], or [[brown]] is recommended to avoid or minimize [[color perception|color distortion]] which would be dangerous when, for instance, driving a car. Grey lenses are considered neutral because they do not enhance contrast or distort colors.  Brown and green lenses cause some minimal color distortion, but have contrast-enhancing properties.  Red lenses are good for medium and lower light conditions because they are good at enhancing contrast but causes color distortion.  Orange and yellow lenses have the best contrast enhancement at depth perception but cause color distortion.  Yellow lenses are commonly used by [[golfers]] and [[shooters]] for its contrast enhancement and depth perception properties. Blue and purple lenses offer no real benefits and are mainly cosmetic. Clear lenses are used typical to protect the eyes from impact, debris, dust, or chemicals.  Some sunglasses with interchangeable lens have optional clear lenses to protect the eyes during low light or night time activities. Debate exist as to wether "blue blocking" or amber tinted lenses may have a protective effect.<ref name="AAO">American Academy of Ophthalmology. [http://www.aao.org/aao/patients/eyemd/upload/Sunglasses.pdf "Information from Your Eye M.D.: Sunglasses."] November 2003.</ref>

Some models use a gradation where the top of the lens (where the sky is viewed) is darker and the bottom is transparent.

Any of the above features: color, polarization, degradation, and mirroring, can be combined into a set of lenses for a pair of sunglasses.

For sunglasses that also include vision correction, see also [[corrective lens]].

[[Image:Wiley-X PT-1 3-lens.jpg|thumb|This sunglass-eyeshield uses a nylon half-frame and interchangeable lenses]]

Frames are generally made from plastic, [[nylon]], a [[metal]] or [[alloy|metal alloy]].  Nylon frames are usually used in sports because they are light weight and flexible.  They are able to bend slightly and return to their original shape instead of breaking when pressure is applied to them.  This flex can also help the glasses grip better on the wearer's face.  Metal frames are usually more rigid than nylon frames thus they can be more easily damaged when participating in sporty activities, but this is not to say that they cannot be used for such activities.  Because metal frames are more rigid, some models have [[spring (device)|spring]] loaded hinges to help them grip the wearer's face better.  The end of the ear pieces and the bridge over the nose can be textured or have a [[rubber]] or plastic material to hold better.  The end of the ear pieces are usually curved so that they wrap around the ear; however, some models have straight ear pieces.  [[Oakley (fashion)|Oakley]], for example, has straight ear pieces on all their glasses.

Some sports-oriented sunglasses have interchangeable lens options.  Lenses can be easily removed and swapped with a different lens, usually a different colored lens.  The purpose of this is to allow the wearer to easily change lenses when light conditions or activities change.  The reason for this is because the cost of a set of lenses is less than the cost of a separate pair of glasses and carrying extra lenses is less bulky than carrying multiple pairs of glasses.  It also allows easy replacement of a set of lenses if they are damaged.  The most common type of sunglasses with interchangeable lenses have a single lens or shield that covers both eyes.  Styles that use two lenses also exist, but less common.

'''Onassis glasses''' are very large sunglasses worn by women. This style of sunglasses is said to mimic the kind most famously worn by [[Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis]]. While originally worn by Onassis in the 1960's, the glasses eventually became popular with younger American girls around the year 2000. Big sunglasses have maintained their popularity though 2007. They have also expanded their demographic reach to adult women throughout the world. Modern day celebrities use these to hide from paparazzi.

{{Main|Mirrorshades}}

Mirrorshades are sunglasses with a mirrored coating on the surface.  Their popularity with [[police]] officers in the United States has earned them the nickname "cop shades". The two most popular styles for these are dual lenses set in metal frames (which are often confused with Aviators), and "Wraparound" (a single, smooth, semi-circular lense that covers both eyes and much of the same area of the face covered by protective goggles, combined with a minimal plastic frame and single piece of plastic serving as a nosepad). Wraparound sunglasses are also quite popular in the world of [[extreme sports]].

{{main|Aviator sunglasses}}

'''Aviators''' are sunglasses with an oversized teardrop-shaped lens and thin metal frames.  This design first appeared in 1936 by [[Ray Ban]] for issue to U.S. military [[aviator]]s.  Their popularity with [[pilots]], military and law enforcement personnel in the United States has never wavered. As a fashion statement, models of aviator sunglasses are often made in mirrored, colored, degregated, and wrap-around styles.

In addition to pilots, Aviator-style sunglasses gained popularity with young people in the late 1960's and continued to be very popular through the 70's and early 80's. Aviators again became popular in the first decade of the 2000's, along with renewed interest in retro-fashion.

First introduced by Ray-Ban, the [[Ray Ban Wayfarer|Wayfarer]] design popularized since the 1950s by Hollywood celebrities such as James Dean is thought to be the bestselling sunglasses design to date{{Fact|date=February 2007}}.

'''Teashades''' were a type of [[Psychedelic art|psychedelic]] wire-rim sunglasses that were often worn, usually for purely aesthetic reasons, by members of the 60's drug counterculture. The common teashade is supported by pads on the bridge of the nose and has a thin wire frame. A uniquely-colored or darkened glass [[#Lens|lens]] was usually preferred, perhaps to hide bloodshot eyes from [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] use, but probably more often simply as a fashion statement.

The term has now fallen into disuse, although references can still be found in literature of the time. Teashades are briefly referenced during a police training video in [[Hunter S. Thompson|Hunter S. Thompson's]] ''[[Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas]]''.

Sunglasses with round lenses and leather blinders that protect the eyes by blocking the sun's rays around the edges of the lenses. Because they provide extra protection from bright sun and light reflected by snow and ice, they are often used when traveling across glaciers or snowfields.

== History ==

In [[2004]], [[Oakley (fashion)|Oakley]] developed ''Thump'', sunglasses with built-in [[digital audio player]]. This design has been copied by a number of smaller companies.

*[[Neo]] (Character from [[The Matrix]]).

*[[John Petrucci]] (Guitarist of [[Dream Theater]]).

*[[Chuck Amato]], football coach.

There are also various words referring to eyepieces with darkened lenses:

* '''''Sun spectacles''''' is a term used by some opticians.

* '''''Cheaters'''''

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