We all know the importance of protecting our skin from the sun, but did you know that your eyes are just as vulnerable to UV damage?
Whether it’s a bright summer day or an overcast afternoon, ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause long term harm to your eyes. UV eye damage can lead to various health conditions , which is why it is so important to protect your eyes from the sun.
How to Protect Your Eyes from UV Rays
The news is that protecting your eyes from UV rays is simple with the right habits and eyewear.
Here are some key steps you can take to prevent UV eye damage:
1. Wear sunglasses with 100% UV Protection
Not all sunglasses offer proper UV protection. When choosing a pair, look for lenses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Sun protection sunglasses come in various styles and colours so you can stay true to your style while avoiding UV damage to your eyes. Polarised lenses can also help reduce glare, making them a great option for driving and outdoor activities.
2. Don't Forget About Prescription Lenses
If you wear glasses, consider adding photochromic lenses or investing in prescription sunglasses. This way, you'll get the benefits of clear vision and sun protection all in one.
3. Wear a Hat for Extra Coverage
A wide-brimmed hat can reduce the amount of UV exposure to your eyes, making it a stylish and practical addition to your sun protection routine.
4. Be Mindful of UV Exposure Year-Round
UV rays and sun damage to your eyes aren't just a summer concern. Snow, water, and even concrete can reflect sunlight and increase your exposure. For example, snow blindness is a type of photokeratitis that is caused by UV rays reflecting off ice and bright snow. Protecting your eyes in all seasons is crucial, especially in bright winter conditions.
5. Choose the Right Lenses for your Lifestyle
For those who spend a lot of time going between indoors and outdoors, Photochromic Lenses (which darken in sunlight) are a great option. If you're active in sports or outdoor work, wraparound sunglasses offer better side protection from UV rays.
The Consequences of UV Rays on the eyes
Prolonged exposure to UV rays can contribute to several serious eye conditions, including:
- Cataracts - A clouding of the eye's natural lens that can blur vision and may require surgery
- Macular Degeneration - A leading cause to vision loss, affecting the central part of the retina.
- Photokeratitis - The main symptoms include painful eyes that are overly sensitive to light.
- Lumps and Bumps - A growth on the eye that can cause redness, swelling, discomfort, and blurry vision.
- Eye Cancer - Less common but still a risk, eye cancer can cause vision loss and blindness.
How Can I Protect My Children's Eyes from UV?
Children's eyes are highly sensitive to UV rays as a result of their larger pupils and clearer lenses, which allow more harmful light to penetrate, increasing the risk of both immediate and long-term UV eye damage.
To protect children's eyes, make sure they wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection and pair them with wide-brimmed hats for extra coverage.
Try to encourage them to stay in the shade during main sunlight hours, from 11am to 3pm and teach your children to never look directly at the sun!
Always remember that UV exposure can occur when on cloudy days or through reflections from surfaces like water and sand.
How Do Sunglasses work?
Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays by using dyes or pigments that absorb harmful ultraviolet radiation, including UVA and UVB rays.
UV-blocking materials are often embedded in the lens itself or added as a coating, ensuring that nearly 100% of UV rays are blocked.
Do Cheaper Sunglasses Still Block UV Rays?
Cheap sunglasses can offer as much protection as expensive brands, but it is important to always check the quality.
Some affordable sunglasses provide get UV protection, such as UV 400, which blocks 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays. However, other might not offer adequate protection, resulting in increased UV exposure as the pupil dilates more due to dark tints without UV filters.
It's crucial to verify the UV protection level when purchasing cheap sunglasses, as some may claim UV protection without providing necessary safeguards.
Do Contact Lenses Provide UV Protection?
Some contact lenses have UV-blocking technology which can help protect your eyes by filtering out harmful UV rays, however, they are not a complete solution.
The lenses cover areas such as the cornea, reducing the risk of UV damage to the interior of the eye, but they leave surrounding areas, such as the eyelids, exposed.
Sunglasses provide greater coverage to the eye, so if you are a contacts wearer, it would be advisable to wear sunglasses too for extra UV protection.
Protect Your Eyes Today
Your vision is worth protecting. Investing in quality UV protection sunglasses is one of the best ways to ensure safe and comfortable vision for years to come. Visit us in-store to explore our range of UV-protective sunglasses and prescription lenses.
