There’s no doubt that sunglasses make you look cool, even if you wear them at night, a la Corey Heart. But sunglasses are much more than just a stylish accessory because they also play a crucial role in protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
It doesn’t matter if you’re soaking up rays on the beach, enjoying a lazy afternoon drive, or just being at one with nature; wearing the right sunglasses can go a long way towards safeguarding your vision and preventing long-term ocular damage.
But how exactly do sunglasses protect your eyes, and what should you look for when buying a pair?
In this post, we’ll break down the science of sunglasses and UV protection in a way that’s easy to understand.
What is UV Radiation and How Does It Affect Your Eyes?
UV is a type of energy which is produced by the sun. It can’t be felt or seen by the naked eye, but it can have harmful effects on both the skin and eyes if you are exposed to it for extended periods of time.
Overall, there are three types of UV radiation, namely UVA Rays, UVB Rays and UVC Rays. UVA Rays make up about 95% of the UV radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface and can penetrate deep into the skin and eyes, which, over time, can contribute to premature aging and eye conditions like cataracts.
On the other hand, UVB Rays are rays that are partially absorbed by the ozone layer. However, they still reach us in significant amounts. These rays can cause sunburn and are a leading factor in the development of eye diseases like photokeratitis (a painful sunburn of the eye) and macular degeneration.
By far, the most dangerous type of UV radiation is UVC Rays. But thankfully, it is mostly absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere and does not reach us.
How Do Sunglasses Protect Your Eyes from UV Rays?
Sunglasses are believed to have originated in China around the 12th century, and today, billions of people around the world wear them.
A good pair of sunglasses, such as those made by 1001 Optometry, protects humans by filtering out harmful UV rays and reducing the amount of light that reaches our eyes.
Here are some of the main ways they can help.
- UV Absorption
The best sunglasses have lenses that absorb 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays. These lenses are designed to prevent UV radiation from penetrating your eyes and reduce the risk of long-term damage.
When shopping for sunglasses, always look for labels that say 100% UV protection or UV400 because they block wavelengths of up to 400 nanometers and cover both UVA and UVB rays.
- Polarisation and Glare Reduction
While polarisation doesn’t necessarily block UV rays, it does reduce glare from reflective surfaces such as water, roads, and snow that can cause you issues.
For this reason, polarised sunglasses are an excellent choice for activities like driving, fishing, or skiing, where you might encounter these conditions.
Indeed. many brands offer high-quality styles of sunglasses that have both UV protection and polarisation to enhance your visual clarity and comfort in such environments.
- Lens Tint and Darkness
Many people assume that darker lenses offer better UV protection. However, this is not always the case.
UV protection actually comes from special coatings and not the colour of the lens, although it is true that different tints can improve your vision in specific conditions.
For instance, grey lenses can reduce overall brightness without distorting colours, while brown and amber lenses can enhance contrast and depth perception, which makes them ideal for outdoor activities.
Similarly, green lenses can reduce glare and improve visual sharpness, and yellow lenses help with low-light conditions (but may not be suitable for bright sunlight).
- Wraparound and Oversized Frames
Sunglasses with large or wraparound frames offer extra protection because they block out the UV rays from the sides. This reduces peripheral light exposure and helps to prevent sun damage to the sensitive skin around your eyes.
These types of sunglasses are worn by professional sportsmen and women such as skiers, golfers and cyclists. They are also popular among workers who spend a lot of time out in the sun, such as in construction roles, landscape gardeners, and farmers.
- Photochromic Lenses
Also known as transition lenses, photochromic lenses adjust their tint depending on the light conditions.
The great thing about them is that when they are worn indoors, they remain clear. But when they are exposed to sunlight, they darken to block out UV rays effectively.
Choosing the Right Sunglasses for Maximum Protection
While sunglasses provide protection from the sun, not all of them do so equally. So, it is worth investing in a good quality pair that will offer you maximum shielding.
When purchasing a pair, always look for UV400 or 100% UV protection labels, as this will ensure they block all harmful rays.
You should also choose polarised lenses if you need to reduce glare, especially for activities near water or roads and consider prescription sunglasses if you wear glasses because that way, you won’t have to compromise between the clarity of your vision and UV safety.
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