Save Your Eyesight by Wearing Sunglasses

You know how important it is to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. But after you slather on the sun block, make sure to protect your eyes too. Slip on a good pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from sunburn, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, blindness, and even cancer of the eyelids.

Sunglasses Protect Eyesight in Every Season

According to optometrists, many people don't realize the importance of protecting their eyes from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. Although you can't see it, you should always protect your eyes from overexposure to UV radiation. Don’t be fooled by overcast skies. Sunlight can harm eyes in any season, not just summer. Even on a cloudy day, UV light from the sun can cause sunburn on the cornea of your eyes. It can also cause blurred vision, redness, and irritation.

Before Heading Outdoors:

  • Make sure your sunglasses provide 100% UV protection from both UVA and UVB rays. You can get lenses with UV coating, and polycarbonate lenses have built-in UV coverage.
  • Consider photochromic or polarized lenses. Photochromic lenses, like sunsync lenses, change from clear to dark automatically when exposed to UV rays. Polarized lenses reduce or eliminate glare and reflections from the sun. You can have coatings added to the lenses of your sunglasses and block 100% of UV rays.
  • Go online to check the UV index in your area. 

Sunglasses for Kids

Children and teens also need to protect their eyes from the sun. It's especially important that kids wear sunglasses from an early age. We have a selection of sunglasses for kids and teens.

Choose the Best Sunglasses for You

You want sunglasses that are fashionable—but they should also provide maximum UV protection for your eyes and fit your lifestyle. Dr. Johnson offers these tips for finding the right ones for you.

  • Go for big frames. Larger frames and wrap-around styles provide extra UV protection by blocking rays that come in from the side.
  • Think about lens color. You may want to go with gray or green lenses because they're neutral and don't change color. If you want to see more contrast, choose brown. Just keep in mind that brown may distort colors a bit.
  • Consider your lifestyle. If you're active in sports, your VSP network doctor can help you select sunglasses and lenses that can protect your eyes and help optimize your performance.
  • Ask about polarized or photochromic lenses. Talk to your doctor about the advantages of these lenses and whether they're right for you.