All hail Sunglasses Day

Looking for something to celebrate on Friday?

How about sunglasses? That’s right, there is a day set aside to celebrate the tinted lenses that protect our eyes from glare. And that day is June 27.

The origins of Sunglasses Day are murky -- though based on the number of press releases flooding my email this week from sunglass companies I have an idea which lobby is behind it.

In any event, as we head toward the Fourth of July -- only a week away -- it’s a good time to remember that a good pair of sunnies is a necessity for your outdoor wardrobe any time of year. Besides looking for stylish options, doctors say to be sure to choose lenses that block 99 to 100 % of UVA and UVB rays. (Foster Grant and Ray Ban are among brands that say all their lenses offer the highest level of protection.)

If the lenses are polarized, that’s good for cutting down glare, but doesn’t necessarily mean they block ultraviolet rays, so make sure the label says the glasses offer full UV protection.

Darker lenses aren’t necessarily more effective than lighter ones, but when you choose a hue, gray, green or brown are easier on vision than rose or yellow, according to webmd.com.

Wraparound styles and larger lenses offer more sun protection than smaller styles.

And sunglasses aren’t just for sunny days. Hazy, overcast conditions still let UV rays through.

So maybe every day should be Sunglasses Day.