Benefits of UV Protection in Sunglasses & Eyeglasses

July 22, 2021

Many people love spending time outdoors on a sunny day. However, what you may not realize is that by doing so, you could potentially be putting your eye health and vision at risk. You probably already know that the sun emits harmful UV rays that can damage the skin if we don’t protect it. However, you may not realize that this UV light can be just as dangerous for your eyes, changing the cells and causing irreparable damage.


You may also be surprised to learn that UV damage can occur even when it’s not particularly bright and sunny, although UV levels do increase during spring and summer and in the middle part of the day. Nevertheless, eye doctors recommend that UV protection is worn outside all the time, regardless of how sunny it is.

 



UV protection in sunglasses



Sunglasses aren’t just a fashion accessory. They are also a crucial line of defense in protecting our eyes against the harmful effects of the sun. When we select sunglasses it’s essential that we don’t just consider the way that they look, but just how effective they are at blocking out UV light. It’s possible to tell this by checking the label or sticker on the sunglasses, which should show what percentage of UV light each pair blocks out. Ideally, you should choose sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB light. 

 


Different styles also offer different types of protection. The larger your lenses and the wider the frames, the more UV light they will block out. Many people who spend large amounts of time outside choose wraparound styles that fit close to the face, as these offer the greatest protection. It’s important to note that the level of tint on sunglasses has no bearing on how effective they are at blocking out UV light. 

 



UV protection in regular glasses lenses



Many people are unaware that it isn’t just sunglasses that can protect their eyes from the effects of the sun. Regular glasses lenses can be coated with UV protection too. This is usually an added feature that you will need to enquire about when you get your usual glasses prescription. If you choose to also get your glasses tinted, it can help to alleviate the harshness of super-bright days, which could eliminate glare, headaches, and eye strain and make it easier to see clearly in bright weather conditions.

 



Benefits of UV protection in your eyewear



Here are just some of the many benefits of having UV protection incorporated into your eyewear:

 


Stop/reduce your risk of certain eye diseases. Protect your eyes against many harmful eye diseases and conditions that can be caused by sun exposure. These include:
 

  • Corneal sunburn
     

  • Pinguecula and Pterygium (growths that develop on the white of the eye)
     

  • Cancer of the skin around the eyes
     

  • Cataracts
     

  • Macular degeneration

 


Protect the skin around your eyes. The skin around your eyes is sensitive and just as likely to be affected by skin cancer as any other unprotected skin on your body that is subject to UV exposure. 

 


Constant protection, no worries. When you choose to have UV protection incorporated into your regular glasses and prescription sunglasses, you can rest assured that you are properly guarded against UV damage at all times – you don’t even need to remember to change your glasses!

 


Clear vision. Don’t let your vision become compromised by damage caused by UV light as you get older. UV damage is accumulative, meaning that the earlier you start to protect your eyes, the longer you should be able to preserve your natural vision. 

 

 

 

For more information about the benefits of UV protection in sunglasses and eyeglasses, please visit Eye Associates of New York in New York, NY. Call (212) 650-4888 to schedule an appointment today.

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