Do I still need those "UV Protective" sunglasses

yes you need to get polarized lenses not just dark glasses if you want to protect your eyes from UV rays. This is also true for children as the harmful impact of UV rays builds up over a lifetime and is not just something that affects adults.

These are the markings to check for.

Older Models made by Baush and Loma.

-Ray Ban B&L Made in the USA across the top part of the upper bridge.

-Size Markings on the paddles. (Only if they were not changed out, and are not the wrap around ear frames)

-Ray Ban white logo on the Right eye Lens. (Left if you are looking at the glasses) this should not come off easily like, with a cleaning cloth.

-B&L etched in the lenses, many knockoffs will have it painted.

-B&L engraved in the nose guards

Further information needed
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Newer Ray Ban's made by Luxottica

-All newer Ray Ban's sold in the U.S.A will be made in Italy.

-Ray Ban Made in Italy under the top bridge

-Made in Ray Ban made in Italy CE on the inside right leg.

-Correct size and model info on the left inside leg.

-R&B etched in the lenses.

-Ray-Ban painted white on the Right Lens (Again won't come off easily)

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Applies to both

-Should not have a mix of the above features....common mistake (Example made in USA across the bridge and made in Italy on the leg.)

-If painted, it should be enamel and should not come off easily.

-Hinges should have a distinct shape, not oval, and should not have any "burn" marks on the metal from being fused.

-The paperwork..sometimes called care book. (not the registration card) should be crisp with a professional work. Common fakes are printed with regular or shiny paper, haphazardly folded, sometimes colors will be bleeding, and or the English is full of typos.

-Mispelled words on the protective case if it has one. This should also match with the glasses. Luxottica with Italy made and Baush and Loma with U.S.A.

-Box is beat up or has Asian characters.

-Hinges should move smoothly but should not be loose. (Older/Used may require tightening.)

-Plastic lenses. An easy way to test this is to direct the car A.C. air at the lenses. Glass lenses will cool rather easily will feel cooler to the touch than plastic.

-Have them checked at a local sunglasses place, UV can be tested too. Many cheap priced sunglasses misrepresent the amount of UV that is blocked. Ray Ban's have a good reputation of Blocking that 99-100%

Yes, ultraviolet (UV) eye protection matters. UV radiation from the sun can damage not only the skin of your eyelid but also the cornea, lens and other parts of the eye. UV exposure also contributes to the development of certain types of cataracts.
When you're choosing sunglasses, look for UV-protection details on product labels. Choose sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. Skip sunglasses that are labeled "cosmetic" and those that don't offer details on UV protection. Opt for larger lenses rather than smaller lenses - or, better yet, the wraparound variety.

Polycarbonate lenses are the most-used alternative material for modern ophthalmic lenses. Consumer interest in thinner, more attractive spectacle lenses led to the development of special lens materials that would bend light differently than conventional plastic lenses. These materials are called "hi-index".
Among the high index materials developed for eyeglasses is one material that has a number of very unique properties and that also provides special benefits to eyeglass wearers. It carries the generic name "polycarbonate" but is sometimes called something different by other manufacturer trade names.
Great for sports protective eyewear
A "must" for kids
Comes with FREE Scratch and UV Protection
Impact Resistant - Polycarbonate Surpass AR lenses are 10 times more impact resistant than plastic lenses.
Lighter - Polycarbonate Surpass AR lenses are up to 35% lighter and thinner than standard plastic lenses for greater comfort.
UV Protection - Polycarbonate Surpass AR lenses shield your eyes from virtually 100% of the sun's harmful UV rays.
Scratch Resistant - PolyCarbonate Surpass AR lenses are hardcoated for excellent durability and scratch resistance.
Easy Care - PENTAX EasyClean™ treatment resists dust and smudges, making your Polycarbonate Surpass AR lenses easy to clean.
Polycarbonate was the first plastic high index lens and still has one of the highest index ratings (1.59). High index advantages are included with every polycarbonate lens so there is never any extra charge for high index when polycarbonate lenses are ordered. Originally used primarily for industrial safety glasses, now used for children, sports wearers, or anyone requesting greater impact resistance in their lenses.

There are couple of materials in which sunglassess are made of. 1. Glass Lenses
- it's has number of advantages: -Exceptional scratch resistance (don't need scratch resistant coating).
-Excellent optical clarity.
-Anti-reflective (AR) coating adheres to glass very well.Disadvantages are:-At least twice the weight of plastic or polycarbonate lenses.
-About 25 to 40 percent thicker than polycarbonate and high index plastic lenses.
-Can shatter or chip easier than lenses made of other materials.
-Require a special coating to provide 100% UV protection Second type is Plastic Lenses:Advantages:

Lightweight - About half the weight of glass lenses.
Plastic lenses accept tints easily.
More shatter - resistant than glass lenses.


Disadvantages:

About 20 to 35 percent thicker than polycarbonate or high index plastic lenses.
Require scratch-resistant coating for added durability.
Require a special coating to provide 100% UV protection.
Another type is Polycarbonate Lenses:Advantages:
Safest lens material - 10 times more impact resistant than other lenses.
Thin - About 20 to 25 percent thinner than plastic or glass lenses.
Lightweight - About 20 percent lighter than plastic lenses.
Blocks 100 percent UV rays without needing a special coating.
Disadvantages:
Requires scratch-resistant coating for durability.
Peripheral vision may be slightly less clear in strong prescription powers.
More lens reflections than glass or plastic lenses (AR coating recommended). High Index Plastic Lenses-Advantages:

Lightweight - Between plastic and polycarbonate lenses in weight.
Thin - About 15 to 30 percent thinner than plastic lenses.
Better peripheral optics than polycarbonate lenses (for prescription sunglasses).
Disadvantages:
Requires scratch-resistant coating for durability.
More lens reflections than glass or plastic lenses (AR coating recommended)

Here are some important features: 1.Competivision is a term created by Bolle Eyewear, one of the best manufacturers of sports sunglasses. Competivision is the first lens technology created specifically for tennis. The concept behind this type of lens technology is simple muting all light except optic yellow allows the ball to pop out of the background so you can see it more clearly. This is a must-have feature for all tennis players. 2.Polycarbonate Lenses-Tennis sunglasses, like other types of sports sunglasses, require polycarbonate lenses for impact and scratch resistance. Tennis players need these types of lenses more for impact and shatter resistance than anything else. 3.Polarized Lenses-Polarized lenses are extremely important in most sports - tennis is no exception. This type of lens technology is important to reduce glare. Glare from the rackets, the net or the court can hinder your performance so its important to choose sunglasses with polarized lenses. 4.Tight-Fitting-You're going to want to choose a pair of sunglasses that fit snug to your face. A huge part of your performance as a tennis player is agility. You can't stop between every hit to stabilize your sunglasses or pick them up if theyve fallen off. You need a pair that's going to move with you, fitting tight and comfortably on your face.
5. UV Protection-UV protection is a very important element in any outdoor sport. It's not enough to simply have UV protection anymore, you have to make sure the sunglasses you choose provide 100 percent UVA, UVB and UVC protection.

esigner-sunglasses/oakley.aspx">Oakley is the original designer of specific sports-related sunglass models and the first company to release a line of sunglasses designed specifically for biking. Their tight-fitting, comfortable sunglasses have been worn by cyclists in the Tour de France. Highly effective but highly expensive, Oakley offers top-of-the-line sunglasses for sports enthusiasts.

Shop before you get to the mountain, so you don't end up paying an inflated price.
Insist on lenses that provide 100 percent ultraviolet protection, to shield your eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays.
Look for anti-fogging features such as double lenses, anti-fog coating and wide vents