Once you find the right pair of sunglasses, they’ll become your favourite daily accessory. There are few things better than when style and practicality go hand in hand. Whether you’re looking for prescription or regular sunglasses, we’ve put together a list of factors to keep in mind while shopping for your new frames.

1. Protection

When you find a stylish frame at your optical store, it can be easy to forget that UV protection should be your number one priority when shopping for a new pair of sunglasses. Look for sunglasses with 100% UV protection. Most of the time, there will be a sticker on the lenses indicating this, so be sure to keep an eye out.

2. Shade

Contrary to popular belief, darker shaded sunglasses don’t necessarily mean more UV protection. Make sure that you’re looking for that UV sticker while shopping.
The shade of sunglasses that you select is highly dependent on your lifestyle. Think about the type of activities you will be spending the majority of your time doing while wearing your new shades. If they’ll often be worn for driving, try to avoid yellow or rose tinted sunglasses as they make it hard to see changes in traffic lights. Grey, green, or brown hues are the best for activities where reflections off of flat surfaces are strong such as driving and boating.

3. Polarized lenses

If you spend most of your summer on your boat at the cottage, spend a lot of time commuting or road tripping, or generally enjoy spending a lot of time outdoors, you should consider buying polarized sunglasses. Polarized sunglasses eliminate glare that happens when sunlight reflects off of flat surfaces like water, snow, the road, or the hoods of cars and are perfect for these types of activities.

4. Ultimate protection

UV rays can sneak in from all angles, even when you’re wearing sunglasses. Wraparound frames offer the most protection for your eyes, and are the best to help prevent all types of eye damage from the sun. Ask your optician to help you find a wraparound frame that fits snug to your face.

5. Find the right fit

Your optician at your Ottawa optical store can help you find a pair of sunglasses that best fits your face and suits your style. If any adjustments need to be made to the frame, Laurier Optical is here to help you adjust them!

Happy shopping!