Most people choose to wear sunglasses to cut down on the sun’s glare.

We all know the damage that the sun can do to your skin, but did you know that the sun also damages your eyes!

Reason #1- prevent sun damage

Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause damage to your eyes. Some of the damage is quite serious – it could

  • cause cataracts
  • increase your risk of macula degeneration
  • cause photokeratitis, which can cause blotchy vision or temporary blindness
  • increase the possibility of skin cancer on the skin around your eyes

Reason #2 – protection from the elements

The great outdoors can also damage your eyes. Sunglasses provide protection from wind, dust and sand.

Sand can scratch your eye causing permanent damage and wind and dust can irritate and damage eyes.

Reason #3 – fewer headaches or migraines

Bright sunlight can be a trigger for migraines and bad headaches, and sunglasses can reduce the intensity of the sun. Sunglasses can protect your eyes from damage caused by the sun, but not all sunglasses offer the same level of protection.

The price of sunglasses, the darkness, and colour of the lenses is not a good indication of the quality or protection offered by the glasses – what matters is that your sunglasses block UVA and UVB rays and reduce glare.

Good sunglasses provide protection if they have:
  1. Polarised lenses

Put on your sunglasses and rotate your phone while looking at the screen.  If your phone turns completely black, your sunglasses are polarised and will significantly reduce glare from the sun.

  1. Larger frames

Sunglasses that wrap around the side of your face reduce sunlight and UV rays reaching your eyes.

  1. Anti-glare coating on the back surface of the lens

This stops glare reflecting off the lens and into your eye, usually only glasses ordered from an optometrist will have this protection.

  1. Category 3 or higher

The Cancer Council recommends that your sunglasses are Category 3 or higher for maximum protection.

Prescription sunglasses provide clear protected vision and can provide protection from the sun and enable you to see clearly in the distance and/or up close without needing to change glasses.

Come and see us for a free sunglass assessment and make sure not only your skin, but your eyes are protected from the sun!