Some people buy a new pair of sunglasses every year while others have the same trusty pair for decades. But how often should you change your sunglasses? Are they fine to keep if they are still in good condition, or do they lose their effectiveness over time?
Why Do People Get New Sunglasses?
According to the folk at Olympic Eyewear, many people change their sunglasses regularly, and they do this for fashion reasons. Those who like to wear designer sunglasses, for example, might change them every time their favorite designer introduces a new line.
Then there are those who don’t buy the most expensive sunglasses and who will change them if and when the frame starts to feel loose or when they break.
Sometimes, though, there seems to be no obvious need to change a pair of shades, especially if those sunglasses were an expensive designer pair in a style that remains fashionable. After all, why would you change your shades if they look and feel good?
What many people don’t realize however is that the UV protection in sunglasses can deteriorate over time. It makes sense really. We wear sunglasses to protect our eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays. The coating on a pair of shades is therefore designed to absorb or reflect these rays to prevent them from reaching our eyes. With regular exposure to UV rays, the protective coating on the lenses can deteriorate, which can then reduce the amount of protection they offer. Furthermore, UV rays can weaken the impact resistance of the lenses, making them less shatterproof than they were when new. All of this means that sunglasses do need replacing. But how often?
Signs Your Sunglasses Should be Replaced
If you are wearing your sunglasses regularly, it is recommended that they be replaced for a new pair every two years. This is just a guideline though. If you don’t use them very often, you can wait for longer before getting a new pair. Nevertheless, if you wear them every day for prolonged periods, you might need a new pair before the two years are up. There are other signs that your sunglasses need to be replaced.
For example, if you don’t take care of your glasses by putting them in a case when you are not using them, you may find that they get damaged or scratched. Most glasses, particularly expensive designer sunglasses, will come with a scratch-resistant coating. But unless you take care of them, this coating can get damaged and become less effective. Furthermore, the coating tends to break down over time anyway. Also, if your lenses have scratches in them, it is time to get a new pair because where there are scratches on the lenses, there will not be any UV protection.
Your sunglasses should also be replaced if they are damaged. If the frame is no longer sitting on your face and is uncomfortable, then it would make sense to get a new pair. It might be that the glasses are falling down your nose or that they are not sitting on your ears as comfortably as they once were. Investing in a new pair at this point makes sense.
Conclusion
Sunglasses can last for many years if they are taken care of. Regardless of whether they are designer shades or a less expensive pair, they can last for a long time with the right care and attention. However, even if your shades look and feel comfortable, they may not be providing adequate UV protection anymore. It is therefore, recommended that they be changed every two years if you are wearing them regularly.