4 Reasons NOT to buy Ray Ban Sunglasses

Don’t buy the most popular sunglass brand in the United States!?!  WOW, that’s a provocative statement, but this isn’t a post about a single brand.  It’s more about what brands represent in the eyes of the consumer and how that differs from the facts.

1. CLASSIC AMERICAN STYLE.  Ray Ban is quintessential Americana.  A company born out of the second great war in New York City with the help of advisors from the U.S. Army Air Corps.  The aviator sunglass is a great look and the designs developed in the 1950’s still work today, but are you still supporting American-Made product when you purchase a Ray Ban Sunglass?  Actually, you’re doing just the opposite in a way.  Some would call the Italian based company’s acquisition in 1999 a vulture move by a savvy company; others describe the purchase as predatory in nature.  Opinions largely depend on your impression of the benefactor: Luxottica.  Ray Ban was pulled from shelves, skillfully marketed, branded and put back out at a much higher price point after the purchase.  There are flaws in the message that is being told here but you may want to see this recent video to inform your opinion of Ray Ban’s parent company:
2. THE ULTIMATE UV PROTECTION.  Every non-powered sunglass you purchase ought to have 2 features you want spelled out by the optician or in writing on the lens if not purchased at an optical: 1) 100% UVA & UVB protection or UV400 (yes, 90-99% isn’t good enough because when you open the pupil behind a dark lens you expose the tissue inside the eye to greater amounts of UV if 100% isn’t blocked by the front and back surface).  And 2) A Backside Anti-Reflective with UV – backside = the side facing your eye – You want UltraViolet protection from the backside of the lens as well because UV will bounce right into your eye from the reflections on the back without it.  This can also make it more comfortable for wear because you won’t be distracted by the reflection of your own eye and your surroundings.  Some Ray Ban’s have this feature but the majority do not, and unfortunately very few local opticians are trained on the benefits of this feature.  So good luck finding a pair with 25 times more UV protection if your only goal is to wear “Ray Ban”.
3. QUALITY CONSTRUCTION AND UNIQUE STYLE THAT CAN’T BE BEAT.  Well, this used to be true but not so much anymore.  The style is so popular that it has been copied by several other brands like Polaroid, Penguin, Banana Republic and more.  The Luxottica construction of frames can be top notch but any styles that don’t live up to the quality standards of the past still get the stamp of the logo and if it sells, despite it’s obvious flaws, the product line lives on.  So when shopping for frames don’t just read the logo.
4. BUT IF YOU REALLY WANT THAT “RAY BAN” LOGO, here’s a tip that will make your purchase non-powered sunglasses far superior.  Unless you are a professional golfer or a pilot you will benefit from the glare reduction of Polarization.  Polarized lenses help in multiple ways, not the least of which is driving safety.  For all those who are still  fans of “RAY BAN” product,  if you must by “Ray Ban” in non-powered sunglasses to wear over contact lenses or don’t require power to see far and traditionally buy non-powered sunglasses, look for “RAY BAN P”.  The P at the end stands for Polarized, and you want polarized for the added glare reduction and safety driving in bright, wet, or snowy conditions.

So now you know when searching for sunglasses request these qualities in your prescription sunglasses and work with the salesperson at your preferred location for non-powered sunglasses to get POLARIZED impact resistant lenses that offer 100% UVA AND UVB PROTECTION PLUS BACKSIDE ANTI-UV in a QUALITY made frame that is flattering to your STYLE.

If you aren’t buying powered sunglasses it is almost more important that you seek out a competent source for your sun protection.  If you are in the area this holiday weekend, be aware that the current special at 4Sight iCare is 40% OFF these gems through this Saturday ONLY.