Sunglasses might be either the expensive, high fashion ones, or the regular use glasses you might get from your neighboring shop. Specially designed shades obviously look good. However, their high pricing make them way beyond many people's budget. However, one must never forget that it is a must-have in high fashion circles.

There are a few pointers about sunglasses that you might like to remember:

• For the majority, looking good is more important than protecting one's eyes. Thus, mostly sunglasses are bought to act as a good accessory, and not as something which is a necessity in the harsh glare of sunlight.

• Earlier sunglasses were mainly a style statement. Protection was never an issue. Ultimately in 1936, polarization was invented. This was put on normal glasses which then went on to protect the eyes from harsh UV rays of the sun. Gradually people started using this technique on sunglasses so that they could be used as protective accessories as well.

• One must remember that the eyes need protection and at the same time it also needs to be able to see. This is a very important balance to achieve.

• Certain glasses enhance their protective powers against UV rays by tamping down on the glare.

It is a difficult job to purchase just the right sunglasses for oneself. Shopping over the internet is a good option as it offers you a larger variety in competitive prices. This is something you would not get in the local stores. Certain shops might also offer Sports Sunglasses, which are extremely useful while doing some kind of hard physical activity. They protect the eyes and are also sturdy at the same time. These glasses usually come with sports strings so that they do not fall off due to sudden jerks.

The market is actually being flooded with newer designs for sunglasses. The range is just mind-boggling. There is a completely different section for children's glasses. Kids' sunglasses are much the same as their adult counterparts, with a lot of stress on cartoon based designs. They are also usually made of plastic. This ensures that energetic children do not break them. Plastic is also much more malleable, providing a much better fit.

You can get your shades in so many different colors. There are specific designs and tints for specific purposes. And you need to know about them if you are to make an informed choice:

• Brown hued sunglasses are suitable for driving.

• If you are playing a sport i.e. running or cycling, you should go the gray hued shades. It is even preferable for a non-vigorous sport like golf.

• If you want to protect your eyes during swimming, or if you might come into contact with water, you might want to go for the pinkish or purple hued sunglasses.

You must remember that different colors are effective for different kinds of glare. Orange or amber is very effective against blue light, which is a main constituent of glare.