UV Protection Matters Sunny days bring hidden risks: UV exposure can cause permanent eye damage, including cataracts and macular degeneration
- 100% UV-blocking lenses – Essential defense against harmful rays
- Polarized options – Eliminate glare for driving, sports & daily comfort
- Style + Protection – Fashionable frames with maximum safety
- How UV damages unprotected eyes
- What "polarized" really means
- Choosing the right protection level
- Additional protective eyewear options
Don’t gamble with your eye health – proper sunglasses are medical devices!
A sunny day can lift your spirits—but sun exposure can pose serious risks to your eye health. Ultraviolet (UV) rays and glare from the sun can cause both short-term discomfort and long-term vision damage. At Austin Optics, we’re here to help you choose the right sunglasses to protect your eyes and maintain optimal visual health.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Sunglasses & Eye Protection
- UVA
- UVB
- UVC
Prolonged exposure to UV rays—especially without protection—can lead to:
- Cataracts: UV light causes proteins in the eye’s lens to break down and cloud over. Cataracts can blur vision and impair night vision and color perception.
- Photokeratitis (a.k.a. “sunburn of the eye” or snow blindness): A painful, temporary condition from intense UV exposure.
- Macular degeneration and retinal damage: Long-term UV exposure may contribute to these irreversible conditions.
Changes in eye tissue, such as growths on the surface of the eye (pterygium or pinguecula).
Look for sunglasses labeled with “100% UV protection” or “UV 400”, which means they block both UVA and UVB rays up to 400 nanometers.
In addition, for full protection from brightness and glare:
- Choose lenses that block 75% to 90% of visible light.
Wraparound or oversized frames can offer even more coverage.
Polarized lenses are designed to reduce glare from reflective surfaces like water, pavement, and snow. They’re ideal for:
- Driving
- Boating
- Fishing
- Skiing
- Golfing
Outdoor jogging or walking
Polarized sunglasses improve visual clarity and comfort by minimizing blinding glare. Look for a label or ask our team to confirm polarization when you shop.
We offer a wide selection of sunglasses, including:
- Prescription sunglasses tailored to your visual needs
- Fit-over sunglasses to wear over your regular glasses
- Photochromic lenses (like Transitions®) that darken in sunlight
- Wraparound styles for added protection
Whatever your style or prescription, we’ll help you find the perfect pair.
Sport sunglasses designed for active lifestyles
Yes! For added protection:
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat to block overhead sunlight.
If you wear contact lenses, ask about UV-blocking contacts. These lenses offer an extra layer of defense when paired with non-prescription sunglasses.
Hard to Fit Contacts
Contact lenses are not an easy solution for every person suffering with vision problems. Some eye conditions make wearing contacts a difficult proposition. However, it does not rule out wearing contact lenses altogether. It just means patients need to discuss options with their eye care provider and obtain specialized hard to fit contacts for their specific vision problems.
Sunglasses
Many people are cheered by a bright, sunny day, but the effect of all that sunlight on the eyes is a less sunny proposition. UV and glare can create a variety of issues, from dangerous “snowblindness” to irreversible disorders that threaten your eyesight. Here are some frequently asked questions about the role of sunglasses in protecting the eyes from harm. If you want to know more about choosing the right sunglasses,
- Call us at (718) 261-8655 today.
UV rays can cause proteins inside the lens to become opaque or cloudy, a condition known as cataracts. Cataracts can interfere with night vision, reduce your ability to see colors, and make reading difficult; they cannot be reversed, only removed. UV exposure can also cause retinal damage, changes in the eye tissues, and a temporary but irritating “sunburn” of the cornea called photokeratitis.
Choose glasses that claim to block at least 99 percent of UV rays — UVA as well as UVB. Look for label reading “UV 400,” since this designation means that the glasses block UV rays as small as 400 nanometers, providing 100 percent eye protection. Of course you need to protect your eyes from the glare caused by the visible spectrum as well. To accomplish this, select products that block 75 to 90 percent of visible light.
Polarized lenses are specially designed to filter out certain types of glare that tend to radiate upward from horizontal surfaces when sunlight bounces off of these surfaces. They are recommended for tasks such as boating, fishing, skiing, golfing, jogging, and driving. Most polarized lenses will bear a label identifying them as such.
We are able to provide you with a wide range of sunglass options. If you normally wear glasses to correct your eyesight, you may be happy with a non-prescription wraparound glasses that simply fit over your lenses. If you’d rather not wear that much equipment on your head all at once, you can order a pair of prescription “shades,” or you can order glasses that darken when exposed to bright light.
If you worry about light, including harmful UV, leaking in through sides or top of your sunglasses, wear a broad-brimmed hat to reduce some of this exposure. If you use prescription eyewear to correct your eyesight, you may also want to think about getting a pair of UV-blocking contact lenses in your prescription. These lenses may be worn alongside a non-prescription pair of sunglasses for optimum eye protection.For more information on choosing the right sunglasses, contact our office today.
