UV protection is accomplished by adding a coating to sunglasses and eyeglasses lenses during the manufacturing process. This UV coating blocks the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation, keeping it from your eyes and the delicate skin around them. UV protection on your glasses and sunglasses lenses helps protect your eyes from the damage UV radiation can cause.
UV-protective sunglasses and glasses feature a thin coating of UVA- and UVB-blocking material to protect your eyes outdoors. This UV coating can be applied to any plastic or glass lens for maximum protection. UV protection is so important that FramesDirect provides this UV-protective coating on all of our lenses at no additional cost.
There are three types of ultraviolet radiation: UVA, UVB, and UVC. Both UVA and UVB rays (or simply, UV radiation) can cause short- and long-term damage to your eyes and your vision. This makes UVA and UVB rays the target for UV protection in glasses and sunglasses. UVC radiation is considered a minimal threat because it’s absorbed by the earth’s ozone layer.
The sun poses the biggest daily threat when it comes to ultraviolet radiation. However, welding equipment, tanning beds, and lasers can also produce UV rays. They may require special eye protection beyond regular sunglasses, so make sure you have the right gear.
Yes. A UV coating on eyeglasses and sunglasses protects your eyes from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Even short-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation without wearing UV-protective sunglasses or eyeglasses can cause damage in your eyes that is similar to a sunburn.
This is called photokeratitis, and it can make your eyes become red and puffy. It can also make your eyes feel gritty, like you might have sand in them. If you’re very sensitive to light, you may suffer from excessive tearing. Fortunately, these symptoms are usually temporary.
However, if your eyes are exposed to long-term UV radiation without proper protection, you may be at a greater risk of developing cataracts and/or macular degeneration later in life.
Ideally, your sunglasses should be labeled as UV400 or providing 100% UVA-UVB protection against the sun’s UV rays. You should be able to verify from the sticker or product information included with a pair of sunglasses how much UV protection they provide.
Even if sunglasses are dark enough to block visible light, that does not automatically mean they provide protection from UV radiation. It can actually be more harmful to wear dark shades without UV protection than to not wear any sunglasses at all. This is because the dark tint may allow your pupils to remain larger in the sun, which can expose your eyes to more damage from UV radiation.
Wraparound, or sunglasses with a wrapped profile are the best sunglasses for UV protection because they offer the most coverage. This style of frame curves around your features to provide ample protection from straight-on and peripheral sunlight.
While most commonly seen as rectangular frames, you can find sleek wraparound styles with oval and rounded lenses. Some of our top performance brands, including Smith, Oakley, and Maui Jim, make wraparound frames with 3-, 5-, and 8-base wraps. These ensure your frames stay balanced and comfortable through high-octane activities while providing the most protection possible.
If they are made with polycarbonate or a similar material, safety glasses may naturally block UV radiation. If not, a UV-protective coating can likely be added during production when you order a new pair.
No. Polarization and UV protection are different, so it’s important to make sure that UV protection is included when shopping for polarized sunglasses. It’s common for companies to advertise them together because polarization is typically only offered with sunglasses. But remember: Polarization alone does not protect your eyes from UV radiation.
Polarization refers to a lens’s ability to reduce glare and haze in bright sun. While the sun’s rays often hit you directly, they can also reflect off of water, sand, snow, and buildings. Polarized lenses tend to be most helpful for reducing glare around these reflective surfaces.
No amount of lens cleaning or exposure to heat will affect the protective qualities of sunglasses with UV protection embedded. Choose a brand known for the quality of its lenses—like Wiley X, Maui Jim, or Ray-Ban—to get sunglasses that come standard with UV protection.
If you plan to step outside in your glasses without switching to shades, a UV coating is an important option to consider. Fortunately, lenses don’t need a dark tint to provide 100% UV protection. The UV coating is effective at blocking UV radiation whether you have clear lenses or tinted sunglasses.
Your lens material can provide some protection too. Polycarbonate lenses and other high-index plastics like Trivex inherently provide 100% UV protection. However, regular plastic lenses must have a UV coating added to make them UV-protective.
Photochromic lenses — the ones that darken automatically when exposed to direct sunlight — already have UV protection embedded in them.
Yes! In fact, if you opt for glasses without 100% UV protection, you may as well not wear sunglasses at all. Adding a UV coating to your Rx lenses is easy, and often comes free with the lenses you order from FramesDirect.com.
Our clear, UV-protective lens coating blocks 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays and comes standard on all polycarbonate and high-index lenses. Without changing the color of the lens, the coating will help defend your eyes against UVA and UVB rays.
Blue light filtering lens treatment is among the available eye protection technologies we offer. Many digital LED screens emit blue light, which may contribute to glare and discomfort after extended use.
Wearing blue light filtering glasses during prolonged computer or tablet use can filter some blue-violet light and may enhance your sense of visual comfort.
Sunglasses can reduce some of your exposure to blue light, but they may not block the entire spectrum of blue light. Certain sunglasses tints, such as dark amber, are most effective at reducing the amount of blue light exposure from a digital screen.
Choose sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection and they will likely also filter out some blue-violet light, also known as high-energy visible (HEV) light rays.
Adding a UV coating and blue light filtering coating to your eyeglasses will filter out much of the blue-violet light emitted from LED screens as well. Since blue-violet light is emitted from LED screens, and UV rays and blue-violet light are emitted from the sun, it may be worthwhile to opt for both coatings to ensure extra protection.
Gamers and computer users who spend long hours on a screen may even want to opt for lenses in a bronze, copper, or reddish-brown tint to filter out a larger spectrum of blue light and enhance their eye comfort.
It’s possible for UV protection to decrease after years of wear, so it’s a good practice to replace your eyewear every few years. When shopping for the right style, make sure to consider the fit and temple coverage as well. These elements can provide additional protection for people regularly exposed to heavy, direct sunlight.
Be sure to double-check product details to ensure you’re getting full coverage. FramesDirect offers a UV coating that can be added at checkout, so no matter what frames you choose, you can be certain your eyes are shielded from 100% of the sun’s harmful rays.
FramesDirect offers thousands of sunglasses and eyeglasses from top designers and brands. Contact us with any questions about specific frames or how to add UV coating to your glasses.
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Blue-violet light is between 400 nm and 455 nm as stated by ISO TR20772-2018. (ISO: International Standards Organization – “Ophthalmic optics – Spectacles lenses – Short Wavelength visible solar radiation and the eye, FD ISO/TR 20772”)
Reviewed by Sonia Kelley, 7/13/2023
When it comes to protecting your eyes from the harmful effects of UV rays, sunglasses with UV protection are your best bet. They are specifically designed to shield your eyes from the invisible ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by the sun.
At AO Eyewear, all of our sunglasses feature 100% UV protection that not only keeps your eyes safe but also elevates your style. Let’s dig into how uv protective sunglasses work.
UV rays are categorized into three types based on their wavelengths and effects on the human body:
UVA rays: These have the longest wavelengths and can penetrate deep into the skin, contributing to premature aging and wrinkling. UVA rays are present throughout the day, even on cloudy days.
UVB rays: These have shorter wavelengths and primarily affect the outer layer of the skin. They are the main cause of sunburns and play a significant role in the development of skin cancer. UVB rays are most intense between 10 am and 4 pm and are stronger at higher altitudes.
UVC rays: These have the shortest wavelengths and are largely absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere, so they don’t pose a significant threat.
UV protection is crucial for several reasons:
Eye health: Prolonged exposure to UV radiation can lead to various eye conditions, including cataracts, macular degeneration, and corneal sunburn. By wearing sunglasses with proper UV protection, you can reduce the risk of these conditions and maintain good eye health.
Skin protection: UV rays can cause skin damage, premature aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer. Sunglasses with UV protection not only shield your eyes but also provide some coverage to the delicate skin around your eyes, reducing the risk of skin damage.
Overall well-being: Excessive UV exposure can cause discomfort, eye strain, and headaches. By wearing sunglasses with UV protection, you can enjoy clearer vision, enhanced comfort, and better visual acuity in bright conditions.
The dangers of UV exposure extend beyond sunburns. Here are some potential risks:
Photokeratitis: Also known as “snow blindness” or “sunburn of the eyes,” this condition occurs due to intense UV exposure. It can cause pain, redness, blurred vision, tearing, and a gritty sensation in the eyes.
Cataracts: Prolonged UV exposure can contribute to the development of cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s natural lens. This can result in blurred vision and, in severe cases, lead to vision loss.
Macular degeneration: UV radiation is associated with an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss in older adults.
Skin cancer: The delicate skin around the eyes is susceptible to skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
Sunglasses with UV protection work by blocking harmful UV rays from reaching your eyes. The lenses are specially designed to absorb or reflect UV radiation, preventing it from entering the eyes. The special UV protective coating is completely separate from the tint of the lenses.
At AO Eyewear, our sunglasses feature high-quality lenses that provide 100% UVA and UVB protection, ensuring your eyes remain safe and well-protected.
For enhanced UV protection, consider sunglasses styles that provide broader coverage:
Oversized models: Sunglasses with larger frames and lenses offer increased coverage, reducing the amount of UV rays that can reach your eyes.
Browline sunglasses: These classic sunglasses provide a distinctive and stylish look while offering good coverage for the eyes and surrounding areas.
Aviator sunglasses: The aviator style was designed to provide maximum eye protection to pilots and deliver great coverage.
When selecting sunglasses, look for those labeled as providing 100% UV protection or UV 400 protected. These sunglasses are designed to block both UVA and UVB rays, ensuring comprehensive protection for your eyes.
At AO Eyewear, we prioritize your eye health and offer sunglasses with superior UV protection, so you can enjoy outdoor activities without worrying about harmful UV radiation.
The darkness of sunglasses lenses is not directly related to their level of UV protection. The tint of sunglasses affects visible light transmission but does not indicate the level of UV protection provided. Even lightly tinted or clear lenses can offer full UV protection.
It’s crucial to choose sunglasses with proper UV-blocking capabilities, regardless of the lens color or darkness. Our sunglasses at AO Eyewear are known for their quality and provide excellent UV protection, ensuring your eyes are shielded from harmful rays.
Yes, there is a difference between polarization and UV protection. UV protection refers to the ability of sunglasses to block UV radiation, preventing it from reaching your eyes. On the other hand, polarization reduces glare caused by light reflecting off surfaces such as water, snow, or roads.
While both features are beneficial, they serve different purposes. Polarized lenses can provide additional visual comfort and clarity by reducing glare, while UV protection is crucial for maintaining eye health.
To test sunglasses for UV protection, you can follow these simple steps:
Look for a label: Check if the sunglasses are labeled as providing 100% UVA and UVB protection or blocking UV 400. This indicates that they offer proper UV protection.
Visit an optical professional: Optical professionals have devices that can measure the level of UV protection in sunglasses. They can assess the sunglasses and provide accurate information about their UV-blocking capabilities.
At AO Eyewear, we ensure that our sunglasses meet the highest standards of UV protection, so you can trust the quality and reliability of our products.
Here are some tips to help you choose sunglasses that provide optimal UV protection:
Look for sunglasses labeled as blocking 100% UVA and UVB rays or providing UV 400 protection.
Ensure a proper fit to prevent UV rays from entering around the edges.
Consider wraparound or oversized sunglasses for increased coverage.
Choose sunglasses that suit your style and lifestyle, so you’ll be more inclined to wear them consistently.
At AO Eyewear, we offer a wide range of sunglasses with exceptional UV protection and stylish designs, ensuring your eyes are both safe and fashionable.
Regular cleaning and exposure to heat do not damage the UV protection of your sunglasses. However, it’s essential to clean your sunglasses properly using a lens cleaner or mild soap and water to maintain their clarity and longevity.
Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that can scratch the lenses. Additionally, excessive heat exposure, such as leaving your sunglasses in a hot car, can potentially affect the frame or lens materials. Rest assured that AO Eyewear sunglasses are crafted with durability and quality in mind, ensuring their UV protection remains intact.
Invest in your eye health and style with our wide selection of sunglasses offering superior UV protection. At American Optical, we prioritize your eye safety and satisfaction.
Explore our collection of sunglasses and find the perfect pair to suit your needs. For any inquiries, feel free to contact us for assistance. Protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and enjoy the outdoors with confidence and style!