Glasses that don’t block UV rays may offer some relief from visible light and reduce your need to squint, but the additional exposure to UVA and UVB can be harmful.
Sunglasses without UVA and UVB protection simply filter out the ambient light but they don’t do anything to protect you. Exposure to UVA and UVB rays may increase the risk for cataracts, or macular degeneration. Every pair of sunglasses we recommend including tinted and polarised lenses, as well as UV treatments for your regular every-day pair of glasses.
What type of sunglasses best protect from UV rays?
I’ve heard of getting my skin sunburned, but can your eyes also get sunburned?
Photokeratitis or ultraviolet keratitis is a painful eye condition caused by exposure of insufficiently protected eyes to the ultraviolet (UV) rays from either natural or artificial sources. Photokeratitis is akin to sunburn of the cornea and conjunctiva, and is not usually noticed until several hours after exposure. Symptoms include increased tears and a feeling of pain, likened to having sand in the eyes. If you experience such symptoms, consult your optometrist.
Do darker sunglasses mean better sun protection?
No. The UV protection offered by a lens is independent of the darkness of the tint. Tint is a personal preference and certain colours and degrees of darkness may be suitable depending on the visual task being performed.
