We refer to "clothing" glasses when we talk about those sold in those types of stores, or on digital portals like those where you only find great deals. Optical glasses, or those that could be sold at an optician's, are the ones we'll distinguish in the following lines.


This question often isn't raised, and it's logical: sunglasses have to fit well, period. But what if they don't? There are nuances that not everyone is aware of, and it would be interesting if they did.


The main difference is, essentially, your eye health. Optical products, no matter how aesthetically pleasing, must meet requirements that others don't. These are:

  • UV protection tested to filter 100% of UVB and UVA rays below 400 nm.

  • Categorized sunscreen (Cat. 0-4). The higher the category, the darker it will be. I recommend Cat. 3 as it's the most versatile.

  • The quality of the materials. Whether acetate or injected, the quality and durability of these glasses is much higher than those that don't undergo any specific testing.

  • The lenses must be neutral, meaning they won't have any effect on your vision beyond the darkness. If you wear glasses that don't have a neutral lens, you can alter your eye prescription. This, in the long run, will be more expensive.


All of this legitimately allows for the CE mark of approval according to European Union regulations. Furthermore, they are PPE designs ( "equipment designed and manufactured to be worn, worn, or held by a person for protection against one or more risks to their health or safety").


Of course, the quality of the frames also matters. The injection moldings on non-certified glasses (despite a "UV PROTECTION" sticker) are of very low quality, which can lead to possible allergic reactions or simply annoying chafing.

You don't have to look for $200 glasses right now; certified optical products are enough. Fortunately, there are many glasses that meet these requirements at fairly affordable prices.

This is essentially what distinguishes one type of glasses from another. We believe it's worth investing in a product that, in the medium to long term, isn't harmful.