Sunglasses each and every day help keep the eye doctor away.

You can smell it in the air and see it on the panic-stricken faces at the gym. Yep, summer's coming. And while winter-weight gain might seem like public enemy #1 right now, it's not---it's the sun.

SUNLIGHT: WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?
There are two bands of harmful ultraviolet rays in sunlight: UVA and its possibly more dangerous counterpart, UVB----one of the known causes of cataracts. As a result of our planet's thinning ozone layer, this cataract-inducing brand of radiation is on the increase. That means bad news for us Earthlings because, if untreated, cataracts can gradually cloud the eye and even cause blindness.

But wait. There's more! The sun's damage to the eyes doesn't stop with cataracts. Exposure to visible light is also a key factor in the gradual degeneration of the retina and in sunburn of the cornea, known as "snow-blindness." UV light may also have a hand in the formation of Pingueculae, yellowish spots on the front of the eye. If you think that's scary, consider that, according to some studies, cancers of the eyelid actually account for more than 10 percent of all non-melanoma skin cancers.

SO, NOW WHAT?
The good news is that there ARE ways to protect your eyes (and skin) from the sun. Nothing's 100 percent, but if you're diligent about wearing quality sunglasses with 100 percent UVA/UVB blocking lenses, you'll be well armed. A particularly good design for anyone who works out doors is a wrap like Nautica's 6005S, which protects from all angles. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat when you're spending time in the sun is another smart idea. Not only do hats protect your eyes, but your face as well (take that premature aging!).

BUYER BEWARE
Now that you know you need sunglasses, it's time to start shopping around. But where? The local drug store? Your eyewear dispenser? A department store? Let's consider the options with advice from Dr. Jeffrey Anshel, doctor of optometry and author of the book Smart Medicine for Your Eyes (Avery Publishing Group, $17.95):

In the U.S., "Commercial, 'off-the-rack' sunglasses of the type for sale in pharmacies and dime stores offer no UV protection. In fact, lenses in these kinds of sunglasses may actually cause your eyes to absorb more UV light than normal. This is because your pupils dilate when you wear sunglasses. If the sunglasses don't filter out UV light, more UV light will enter your eyes than it would if you weren't wearing sunglasses at all and your pupils were constricted just the usual amount! But even if a manufacturer claims that a pair of sunglasess offers "100 percent UV protection," the optical quality of off-the-rack sunglasses is poor. If you're paying only $10 for a pair of sunglasses, you're definitely not getting a quality product."

Off-the-rack sunglasses, Dr. Anshel explains, are likely to have lenses made of a type of plastic called cellulose acetate. This plastic is usually stamped out into a lens shape and inserted into a frame. The lenses are prone to warping and distort the light passing through them, which can cause headaches.

"With their low-cost materials and low-labor costs, these 'fun glasses' sell for between $5 and $15," Dr. Anshel says. "This low price has led to the unfortunate notion that sunglasses should be cheap and easily replaced when lost or broken. I often hear people say they want cheap sunglasses because they're 'just for the beach'----but the beach is where sunglasses are needed the most for protection."

While "fun" sunglasses and quality sunglasses may resemble one another, the similarity ends there. Quality sunglasses are made of optically ground plastic, usually something called "CR-39." Optically ground lenses are superior because they have true curves, substantial "body" that helps to maintain their shape, and clear optical-quality vision.

Even though the lenses are the most important part of sunglasses, you still need to pay attention to the frame. With an off-the-rack pair of sunglasses, the frame usually cannot be tightened or properly adjusted. Frames used for good sunglasses, however, are of the same quality as those used for prescription glasses. They can be adjusted and once fit, will hold their adjustment.

GET POLARIZED
Of course, sunglasses aren't just for the summer. Experts recommend wearing shades whenever the light is bright enough to make you squint, which means even on cloudy days, and especially at high elevations. If you're a skier, boater, fisherman----or even someone who drives a car & shy;and are plagued by glare or eyestrain year-round, sunglasses with polarized lenses can make a dramatic difference. Polarized sunglasses are no more expensive than other sunglasses on average, although having the lenses of standard prescription sunglasses polarized will add to their final cost.

PICK A COLOR, ANY COLOR
Most experts will tell you that gray, green, brown, and amber are the lens colors that reduce glare best. Because gray lenses are neutral, they transmit all the colors evenly and true-to-life. Green lenses resemble your "natural color sensitivity" and allow a maximum amount of useful light to reach your eyes. Amber and brown sunglasses lenses block blue light, which may be responsible for retinal damage. These colors also improve contrast and reduce glare.

READY, SET, SHOP!
Sunglasses protect your eyes and boost your cool-quotient in one fell swoop (plus, they're fat-free). Now it's up to you to find the pair you like best. As you begin your search, keep these final tips from Dr. Anshel in mind:

• Don't let price be your primary consideration. Evaluate your specific sunglass needs. Do you need shades for the beach, bike riding, or driving a car? Or do you need them for sailing, fishing, or some other activity?
• Choose a store that is convenient, so that you can go in for adjustments or repairs periodically.
• Try on several styles, and check for fair pricing. With sunglasses, as in most things, you get what you pay for.