Sunglasses and UV protection: what you need to know

Sunglasses with UV protection are much more than a stylish fashion accessory. Of course, frames complete your look, but their most important function remains protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays. In this blog post, you'll discover all about UVA and UVB rays, how to choose the best sunglasses, and why sunscreen around your eyes is just as important.

What exactly is UV radiation? 🌞

UV radiation (ultraviolet light) is invisible sunlight that can damage your skin and eyes. There are three types:

• UVA radiation → penetrates deeply and causes skin aging and wrinkles.

• UVB radiation → responsible for sunburn and eye damage.

• UVC radiation → is blocked by the atmosphere and does not reach us.

Good sunglasses with UV400 protection filter this harmful radiation and prevent damage to your eyes.

UV damage to your eyes

Without the right UV protection for your eyes, you run the risk of:

• Photokeratitis → a temporary "sunburn" of the eye. Also called snow blindness.

• Cataract → clouding of the eye lens.

• Macular degeneration → permanent retinal damage. Macular degeneration causes the cones and macula in your eye to die, reducing your visual acuity.

• Faster aging of the skin around the eyes → due to UVA.

How do you choose sunglasses with good UV protection?

1. Check the UV400 label ; this blocks 100% of harmful radiation up to 400 nanometers.

2. Check for a CE marking (category 2–4); this indicates the level of protection.

3. Polarized lenses reduce glare from water, snow, and asphalt. This provides extra protection for your eyes.

The first two points are mandatory on the checklist. This way, you can be sure your eyes are optimally protected from the sun.

These are common mistakes with sunglasses:

• Dark lenses without a UV filter → if the sunglasses don't have a UV code, don't buy them; they're more dangerous than not having any glasses at all.

• Only wear sunglasses at the beach → UV is everywhere. It can be much brighter at the beach than in a city, but you still need sunglasses in a city. Always wear your sunglasses in sunlight, even in winter.

• Thinking that cheap is always bad → even cheap glasses can be safe if they have a UV400 label.

🧴 Don't forget your sunscreen 🧴

Just as UV radiation damages your eyes, it also has a major impact on your skin. UVA causes skin aging, while UVB can be blocked by sunscreen. The skin around your eyes is extra thin and delicate. Therefore, use SPF 30 or SPF 50 sunscreen daily on your face, including around your eyes. Choose a fragrance-free formula to prevent irritation.

Other tips to optimally protect your eyes:

• Choose a model that fits well so that UV does not penetrate along the sides.
  

• Combine with a hat or cap for maximum protection.

• Sunglasses + sunscreen = the best protection against the sun.

What tip(s) will you take with you for next time?