Photo by Abigail Ducote 

There are many reasons to wear sunglasses, but the number one thing that concerns wearers most is UV eye exposure. 

Here are 3 types of sunglasses lenses that protect eyes from UV exposure:

• Polycarbonate lenses are very resilient and lighter and thinner than standard plastic lenses. They are made of remarkable strong plastic that weighs the least and is the most impact-resistant. They offer built-in ultraviolet filtering. An optimal choice for people with active lifestyles. Also good for playing sports, outdoor activities, safety glasses, as well as children's sunglasses.
  

 

• Polarized lenses contain an added coating to reduce glare from water during boating, fishing, as well as while driving. These smooth surfaces cause the light from the sun's UV rays to reflect at one angle—such as right in your eyes. The disadvantage is that it can make some LCD screens unreadable - because monitors are often also polarized to increase the sharpness and contrast.
  

• CR-39 lenses are the widest used material for general purposes sunglasses today. They exceed the FDA requirements for impact-resistance, but are not shatter-proof, so they're not recommended for active sports. These lenses are more fashion-forward and provide vastly superior optics.