There is no shortage of information about ultraviolet rays (UV) and how prolonged, unprotected exposure to UV can lead to skin damage. It’s why we wear sunscreen when we’re in the sun for extended periods of time. Sunscreens offer various degrees of UV protection by filtering out or “blocking” the harmful, invisible UVA and UVB wavelengths of light.

But did you know the same, serious approach to protecting your skin also applies to your eyes?

UV protection is critical to eye health
Eye exposure to ultraviolet rays can cause damage your eyes. Over time, UV can contribute to serious age-related eye conditions or diseases. That’s why wearing lenses with maximum UV protection is so very important. Because UV rays are always present outdoors—on sunny days, cloudy days, and every day in between.

Unlike sunscreen that you apply and reapply, eyeglass lenses and sunglasses can have ultraviolet protection built into the lens or applied as a lens treatment. Remember, although UV is invisible to the human eye, it is always present. Your lenses, therefore, should always provide UV protection.

The most important thing you need to know about UV glasses is this: Be certain your eyewear provides near or exactly 100% UV protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Anything less is less than ideal for the short and long-term protection of your healthy sight.

Did you know…
​​​​​​​

• UV light can “sunburn” the eye’s surface and cause benign yellowish growths on the human eye

• Prolonged exposure to harmful UVA and UVB radiation over time can contribute to serious, age-related eye conditions or diseases

• These diseases include cataracts and macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in people over age 60

• Only lens materials or lens treatments that promise 100% protection against both UVA and UVB rays protect your eyes fully from the harmful rays of the sun. Demand 100% UV protection.