Buying sunglasses is more than just a fashion statement. Protection from harmful ultraviolet (UV) light is essential to prevent possible damage to the lens or retina of the eye.

What is UV?

UV light is made of invisible, short wavelength rays from the sun. UV is measured in nanometers (NM) and there are three bands of UV: UVA, UVB, and UVC.

UVC (below 286 nm) is normally absorbed by the upper earth atmosphere before reaching the earth and sunglasses do not need to protect against UVC.

UVB (286-320nm) rays are the most hazardous to eyes and skin. They are responsible for sunburn and can cause eyelid and other skin cancers. UVB is stronger in the summer and also at higher altitudes.

UVA (320-400nm) rays tend to get absorbed by the lenses in your eye and can cause retinal damaage and contribute to cataracts. UVA rays are best known, however, for their role in ageing the skin through early wrinkling. UVA rays pass easily through clouds, glass, water, and even clothing.

You will need protection both against direct exposure to UV rays and to reflected rays from snow and pale sand. Moreover, ozone depletion in the atmosphere during recent years has increased the likelihood of skin and eye damage by UV rays. UV protection is advised even on hazy days.

UV protection from sunglasses and spectacles

All sunglasses filter UV light to some degree but levels of protection vary. For best protection, choose sunglasses with lenses that block UVA and UVB rays between 290 and 400nm.

UV protection can be added to prescription spectacles. Specs2go offers a protective coating at 400nm, which blocks between 99% and 100% of UV rays.

If you work or play outdoor sports, you will benefit greatly from UV protection, whether wearing prescription spectacles or plain sunglasses.

People working under fluorescent lights or at computer VDUs will also benefit from lenses with UV protection.

There is also a possibility that if you take certain types of medication, you may become more sensitive to UV rays than normal. Please check with your doctor for advice on wearing spectacles with UV protection or sunglasses.

Tints

A tint on a pair of spectacles or sunglasses will not block UV rays but do help in reducing glare and improving visibility. Click here for information on the range of tints offered by Specs2go

Want to know more about lenses? ·

Origins of the lens ·
A brief history of spectacles
What to expect from an eyesight test or eye examination in the UK and Northern Ireland
What your spectacles prescription means
About lens tints
Myths about spectacles