Key TakeawaysWearing sunglasses protects your eyes from harmful UV rays, which in turn reduces your risk of developing eye conditions such as cataracts and dry eyes.However, not all sunglasses are created equal. When buying sunglasses, experts recommend getting pairs that offer 100% UV protection. Look for glasses with polarized lenses to reduce glare that fit your face comfortably.Experts also recommend wearing hats, minimizing sun exposure, and having routine eye exams every few years to protect your eyes and keep your vision healthy.
Key Takeaways
Wearing sunglasses protects your eyes from harmful UV rays, which in turn reduces your risk of developing eye conditions such as cataracts and dry eyes.However, not all sunglasses are created equal. When buying sunglasses, experts recommend getting pairs that offer 100% UV protection. Look for glasses with polarized lenses to reduce glare that fit your face comfortably.Experts also recommend wearing hats, minimizing sun exposure, and having routine eye exams every few years to protect your eyes and keep your vision healthy.
Finding the right pair of sunglasses isn’t just a summer fashion statement; it’s also an important step in protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays.While there are many options to choose from, not all sunglasses willprotect your eyes. In fact, some sunglasses give you a false sense of security and really don’t offer enough UV protection.
That was the case for one woman who shared her story on TikTok, warning others about buying “cheap” sunglasses.
“Because I decided to buy trendy sunglasses that were like $5 on Amazon, I am paying the ultimate price,” the TikToker said.
In the now-deleted video, the user claimed she was diagnosed with apinguecula. That’s a non-cancerous growth of the conjunctiva—the thin transparent tissue that covers the white part of the eye,Michelle Holmes, OD, optometrist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, CA, told Verywell.
“Although pingueculae are typically harmless and do not interfere with vision, they tend to become irritated more easily than other ocular structures, causing the eye to look red or feel uncomfortable,” said Holmes.
The TikToker’s story highlights the importance of being picky when choosing sunglasses. Not all of them provide the protection you need, so knowing what to look for is key. Here’s why wearing the right sunglasses matters and what to look for to keep your eyes safe, according to experts.
We Tested 40 Pairs of Sunglasses—These 13 Protect Your Eyes While Looking Stylish
The Health Benefits of Wearing Sunglasses
Wearing proper sunglasses is essential for protecting your eyes from UV damage as well as shielding them from other environmental irritants like wind and dust, according to Holmes.
Sunglasses also reduce glare and improve visual comfort, especially if they have tinted orpolarized lensesdesigned for specific tasks, said Holmes. In addition, they cover the delicate skin around your eyes, which may “reduce the risk of developing wrinkles, fine lines, and even skin cancer,” Holmes added.
Bryce St. Clair, OD, FAAO, assistant professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine, emphasized that sunglasses protect both the structures in the eye and the surrounding areas.
“Wearing sunglasses helps block UV rays and wind from stimulating pinguecula growth,” said St. Clair. They also protect against eyelid skin cancers, worsening cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye problems.
Tips to Choosing the Best Sunglasses for Eye Protection
How Do Sunglasses Protect Your Eyes?
Legitimate sunglasses typically contain films/coating that can block UVA and UVB rays, which are the most harmful to the eyes,Brian Boxer Wachler, MD, ophthalmologist and medical reviewer atAll About Vision, told Verywell.
When you’re wearing sunglasses, the pupil (the hole in the center of your eye that allows light to pass through) gets bigger because of the dark lens tint, according to St. Clair. For UV-certified sunglasses, this is not an issue because the larger “window” for the eye has a barrier protecting it from damage.
However, if you’re wearing illegitimate or counterfeit sunglasses, your pupils may dilate from the tinted lenses, but your eyes are actually receiving more harmful UV radiation than they would if you were squinting or not wearing sunglasses at all. “Think of it as going to the beach and applying protective sunscreen versus applying cooking oil,” said St. Clair.
Sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection will have a “UV 400” or “100% UV protection” label on them, said Holmes. If you’re not sure how helpful a pair will be, it’s also possible to test glasses for UV protection with an instrument called a photometer. “Some eye care professionals have these in their offices and can tell you exactly what wavelengths your sunglasses are blocking,” added Homes.
Other Things You Can Do To Protect Your EyesIn addition to putting on protective sunglasses, wearing a wide-brimmed hat can provide additional shade for your eyes, especially during peak sunlight hours, Boxer Wachler said.However, the best way to protect your eyes from UV damage is to minimize sun exposure, according to Holmes.St. Clair added that routine eye exams at least once every two years—or as recommended based on your age and risk factors—is good practice to monitor your eye health and detect any issues early on.
Other Things You Can Do To Protect Your Eyes
In addition to putting on protective sunglasses, wearing a wide-brimmed hat can provide additional shade for your eyes, especially during peak sunlight hours, Boxer Wachler said.However, the best way to protect your eyes from UV damage is to minimize sun exposure, according to Holmes.St. Clair added that routine eye exams at least once every two years—or as recommended based on your age and risk factors—is good practice to monitor your eye health and detect any issues early on.
In addition to putting on protective sunglasses, wearing a wide-brimmed hat can provide additional shade for your eyes, especially during peak sunlight hours, Boxer Wachler said.
However, the best way to protect your eyes from UV damage is to minimize sun exposure, according to Holmes.
St. Clair added that routine eye exams at least once every two years—or as recommended based on your age and risk factors—is good practice to monitor your eye health and detect any issues early on.
How to Get Your Prescription in Sunglasses
What to Look for When Buying Sunglasses
Since there are so many options to choose from when it comes to sunglasses, experts say it’s important to consider several factors to make sure you’re getting the best protection and comfort for your money.
Here’s what to look for when buying sunglasses:
If you’re looking to buy some protective sunglasses, know that you don’t necessarily need to spend hundreds of dollars. “You can definitely find a pair that will work well and protect your eyes for cheap. However, be careful with the freebies! They may not provide the full spectrum of protection,” added St. Clair.
What This Means For YouWhen shopping for sunglasses, prioritize pairs that provide 100% UV protection. Also consider factors like the overall fit, frame material, durability, and whether they are polarized. If you are unsure about the level of protection your sunglasses offer, bring them to your local eye care professional for guidance.
What This Means For You
When shopping for sunglasses, prioritize pairs that provide 100% UV protection. Also consider factors like the overall fit, frame material, durability, and whether they are polarized. If you are unsure about the level of protection your sunglasses offer, bring them to your local eye care professional for guidance.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Tips to stay safe in the sun: from sunscreen to sunglasses.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is a pinguecula and a pterygium (surfer’s eye)?.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Sunglasses: your prescription for eye health.American Academy of Ophthalmology.The sun, UV light, and your eyes.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What are polarized lenses for?.American Academy of Ophthalmology.How to choose the right glasses frame material that’s right for you.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Tips to stay safe in the sun: from sunscreen to sunglasses.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is a pinguecula and a pterygium (surfer’s eye)?.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Sunglasses: your prescription for eye health.American Academy of Ophthalmology.The sun, UV light, and your eyes.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What are polarized lenses for?.American Academy of Ophthalmology.How to choose the right glasses frame material that’s right for you.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Food and Drug Administration.Tips to stay safe in the sun: from sunscreen to sunglasses.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is a pinguecula and a pterygium (surfer’s eye)?.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Sunglasses: your prescription for eye health.American Academy of Ophthalmology.The sun, UV light, and your eyes.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What are polarized lenses for?.American Academy of Ophthalmology.How to choose the right glasses frame material that’s right for you.
Food and Drug Administration.Tips to stay safe in the sun: from sunscreen to sunglasses.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is a pinguecula and a pterygium (surfer’s eye)?.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Sunglasses: your prescription for eye health.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.The sun, UV light, and your eyes.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What are polarized lenses for?.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.How to choose the right glasses frame material that’s right for you.
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