It's for your eyes only

Summer has arrived. With the mercury soaring and the scorching sun battering down, the one accessory that is a must-have to protect the eyes against the harsh Bahraini sun are the ubiquitous sun-glasses.

A favourite with celebrities and film-actors to mask identities, sun-glasses do more than make a fashion statement or hide a multitude of tell-tale partying signs.

They can protect the eyes from the glare of the sun and some offer ultraviolet protection (UV), excessive exposure to which can cause short and long term eye diseases including some forms of eye cancer.

These days, more often than not, people in Bahrain wear sunglasses not only for protection, but also to help complete their 'look', owning more than a single pair to complement their outfits.

Whether propping on their head or sitting on the bridge of the nose, sun-glasses have become an important fashion accessory and many shopping for them don't bother to ask the all important question of how much UV protection they offer.

"When I go shopping for sunglasses the most important factor for me is how I look in a particular design. Of course the UV protection aspect is there but all the good quality sunglasses afford proper protection, the little sticker on the side says it!" said Bahraini Sahar Al Moosa, 30, who owns eight pairs of designer shades in every colour and style.

But from 500 fils to BD500 wearers in Bahrain have a huge variety of sun-shades to choose from.

A walk in the narrow streets of Bab Al Bahrain souq brings with it among other wares an interesting array of sun-glasses mimicking the originals of Ray Ban, Dolce and Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, Bvlgari to name a few.

Available in the latest of designs and priced from BD1 to BD3 these shades can be purchased for as little as 500 fils after a little bargaining. Although whether they provide a similar UV protection as their more-pricier counterparts is shady to say the least.

Another less-expensive alternative is Aldo accessories outlet which is present in most of the malls all over the kingdom. Funky plastic shades with diamantes and Aldo logo are available between BD3 to BD5.5.

Dig a little deeper into the wallets and shades from shops like Nine West and Guess are a smart and fashionable option. Colourful array of stylish plastic frames some with animal print, diamantes and logos in different shapes form part of their latest collection that is priced between BD11 to BD20 at Nine West and BD30 to BD80 at Guess.

But the sky is the limit when shopping for the high-end designer brand. Valentino, Chanel, Cartier, Armani, Versace, Gucci, Dior, Police, Bvlgari the list is endless as there is every imaginable brand available in the upmarket shops in Bahrain where the demand for designer shades continues unabated.

"I wear my shades for most part of the day and like my clothes it is important for me to buy a good quality one," said a shopper in Seef Mall.

Yateem Optician in Seef has a pair of Cartier shades priced at BD534, the outlet's most expensive, for the discerning buyer.

A guaranteed UV protection with style comes with a price tag according to the shop's salesman. But one thing is for certain, this summer Aviator glasses with bling are certainly the sure way to keep the sun out of your eyes.