With spring racing season underway, the team at Good vision for life has shared its top sunglasses trends for 2019, with 70s styles and oversized frames making a comeback.
This is what we can expect to see trackside during this year’s carnival:
- Oversized is the new skinny - say goodbye to small, thin frames that provide zero coverage and say hello to big, chunky looks
- Cat eyes are here to stay - the cat eye has been steadily making its way up the fashion ladder for years – a natural toned pair is the perfect addition to any race day outfit
- The 70s have made a comeback - think strong, rectangular shapes and rose-coloured lenses
- Go bold and bright - daring colours are on trend again, so don’t be afraid to pair a sophisticated outfit with a primary-coloured frame for a pop of colour
When selecting sunglasses to complete their spring racing look, the team at Good vision for life encourages racegoers to also consider the ultraviolet (UV) protection in their eyewear accessories. Lenses with an Australian Standard category three and four UV protection will absorb more than 95 per cent of UV radiation.
Optometrist Luke Arundel from Optometry Australia said: “Not all sunglasses are made equal, in fact, some sunnies are actually labelled fashion spectacles and not sunglasses at all, as they provide zero UV protection.
“Racing has a strong tradition of dressing smartly and appropriately, however, it’s really important for racegoers to carry this sentiment through to their sunglasses. A category three or four Australian Standard lens will provide you with instant sun glare reduction and UV protection, while also keeping your look in check.”
The average race day starts at 11am and wraps up at 5pm, leaving attendees exposed to UV rays for up to six hours – over 5.5 hours more than the daily recommendation of sun exposure for adequate Vitamin D.
Too much UV radiation can lead to eye health problems ranging from short-term irritation and inflammation, to long-term permanent damage such as cataracts, macular degeneration and skin cancer around the eyes and eyelids.
“Even though it feels like the harsh summer sun hasn’t hit just yet, it actually sits lower on the horizon in spring which results in more damaging UV rays directly entering the eye,” said Arundel.
“Importantly, 90 per cent of UV radiation can penetrate clouds, so it’s also not just on super bright days that we can be suffering UV damage.”
Opting for a wide-brimmed hat can also help reduce UV radiation to the eyes by 50 per cent, so forget headbands and fascinators – instead, don a big statement hat and UV protection sunglasses this spring racing carnival.
To get protected this spring, visit your optometrist for expert advice.
