This may come as a shock to some, but no, the purpose of sunglasses isn't just to look cool in summer (although we agree that looks are very important). Their real purpose is to protect our eyes from the sun's ultraviolet rays. And without protection, these rays (UV A, UV B and UV C) can damage the cornea of the eye. Prolonged and very strong exposure (sun glare on snow or when the air is very dry) can even cause corneal burns. So it's important not to neglect your choice of sunglasses. This is even truer for children, whose lenses are more transparent than those of adults, so they filter UV rays less effectively.
Here are the selection criteria to look out for, for children and adults alike...
Protection factor
In your opinion, do darker lenses provide better protection than clear lenses?
I'd have thought so, but no! There's no connection. Clear lenses with a good index can be more effective than poor quality dark lenses.
Levels of protection range from 0 to 4
These levels, or categories, were established in accordance with standard NF EN ISO 12312-1: 2013. This standard was updated in 2022 but has not yet been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
- Level 0: to be avoided, it's just for looks. No protection.
- Level 1 - 2: Mid-season models, you need to be careful when buying them, depending on how they will be used.
- Level 3: Good protection. Filters up to 92% of light.
- Level 4: Models designed for extreme conditions, such as high mountains. Level 4 is so opaque that you can't drive with it.
The choice of lenses
Mineral glass: comfortable, resistant but heavy, less and less used.
Organic glass (or CR39): Lighter but very strong. Excellent UV resistance.
Polycarbonate lenses: Excellent quality, thin but strong, excellent UV protection, great for sports and children.
Polarised lenses: Protection is guaranteed!
As you can't see the quality of the lens, you need to read the label carefully or find out about European standards. Buying glasses that don't meet European standards won't guarantee you the minimum protection provided. It's the same for everything: toys, etc. Be vigilant.
For adults, it's all about style, but for children, the frame is really important. Glasses must be comfortable and strong, ideally with a silicone cord like the Izipizi brand or ultra-flexible temples like the Cruzy Sun Grande Bleue Marine Sunglasses, for example.
At Hopono, we have our flagship brands for sunglasses. We've chosen them because they don't compromise on safety. Whether it's Izipizi, Komono, Liewood, Nooz, Hello Hossy or Yeye, the lenses are polarised and the protection is always category 3. So all you have to worry about is the style you want, not the rest! Coloured, black, square, retro? You're sure to find what you're looking for!
For children, glasses are classified by age group in our e-shop. Baby, Kids, Kids +, juniors and teenagers, so it's easy to find what you're looking for!
For adults, there are 169 references, often mixed, waiting for you in the sunglasses section!
You're probably familiar with Komono and Nooz, but do you like the hexagonal shape of Yeye sunglasses?
YEYE sunglasses are made entirely in France, are eco-responsible, unisex and super trendy! The best part? They're natural, biosourced and recyclable, made from castor oil. You can even match them to your child with, for example, the Combi-Cool 3.
I'll let you take a look at our e-shop, or come into the shop to try on a whole range of models on our large wall of sunglasses and our many displays for adults and children!
See you soon,
