Designer sunglasses work hard for their living giving you protection, reducing the risk of certain cancers, reducing wrinkles and making you look good.

There’s a scene in the Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie movie, Mr and Mrs Smith, where the cornered couple load up on guns and military hardware before launching themselves against a mini-army of agents out to get them. The last thing they do is slip on some pretty stylish shades to indicate they’re as ready as they’ll ever be. Sunglasses work a bit like a bullet proof vest for the eyes, safeguarding our sight from damage, as well as providing a host of additional benefits.

Designer sunglasses were born when a naval officer requested for a pair to be designed after suffering damage to his sight after a hot air balloon adventure. The glare of the sky caused permanent damage. But he wanted to look stylish too – hence Ray-Bans were born. Pilots wore the designer sunglasses primarily as a form of protection, but they couldn’t help looking effortlessly cool too.

But wearing the best designer sunglasses isn’t just about loving your look, it’s about loving your eyes and your health. By protecting your eyes from damaging ultraviolet rays, you stop yourself from developing a squint. Although cheap sunglasses can work, over time they lose their effectiveness, and not all cheap sunglasses come with UV protection.

And if the worry of damaging your eyesight isn’t enough motivation, the brightness causes you to squint and frown – which triggers deep set wrinkles. It’s important you wear good quality sunglasses not just in the sun, but if you are in the water or snow where light is stronger due to reflection and glare. Good sunglasses can eliminate UV rays completely.