5 Best Sunglasses for UV Protection
The UK may not be known for its sunny climate, but it’s still a good idea to have your sunglasses with you when you’re out and about.
That’s because the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays (or UV light) can reach your eyes, even on cloudy and overcast days. Depending on your levels of exposure over time, these rays can damage your eyes and eventually lead to cataracts and other eye and vision problems.
That’s why it’s important to wear sunglasses with UV lens protection year-round to help maintain good eye health.
How to Choose Sunglasses with UV Lens Protection
Any shades you wear should block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. This is the amount of UV protection your eyes need to help avoid the harmful effects of sun damage that can happen on both sunny and cloudy days.
But not all sunglasses have UV lens protection. Here are some ways you can make sure you have the best sunglasses for eye protection:
Look for the Sticker
When you’re buying sunglasses, look for a sticker on the lens or a tag that says they block 100% of UVA-UVB rays. The sunglasses may also have “UV 400” printed on the sticker or label, which also means the lenses block 100% of UVA-UVB rays.
Ask a Professional
It’s important to note that dark lenses, mirror lenses, coloured lenses, and tinted lenses don’t necessarily have UV protection built in. If you have a pair of shades and don’t know how well they block UV rays, you can take them to an optical store for testing with a photometer.
Do an At-Home Test
If you have a UV flashlight, you can do an at-home test to see if you have UV protection sunglasses:
- Find a newer banknote with ultraviolet security features.
- Shine the UV flashlight onto the money. If the banknote has a UV-fluorescent compound, it will glow when exposed to ultraviolet light.
- Next, holding your sunglasses between the money and your flashlight, shine the flashlight onto the bill through one of the sunglass lenses.
- If you can still see the banknote’s UV security feature glowing, your sunglasses do not have enough UV lens protection.
It may be a good idea to use this test with any older pairs of sunglasses to find out if they are still blocking 100% of UVA-UVB rays.
What Are the Best Sunglasses for UV Lens Protection?
At Foster Grant, all our sunglasses come standard with lenses that have 100% protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Here are five of our favourite pairs of UV sunglasses:
SFGP24223
This style combines a classic pair of black way-style frames with blue lenses for a pop of colour. These sunglasses also have polarised lenses, which reduce glare by filtering specific light rays. Polarised lenses make it easier to see in bright sunshine and around surfaces that reflect sunlight, such as water, snow, cars, and roadways.
Paula Green
When it comes to sunglasses, bigger is better because larger frames can provide more coverage. The Paula Green oversized oval frame with scratch- and impact-resistant lenses is part of our Sofia Vergara® x Foster Grant® sunglasses collection.
FGC005GLD Polarised
You can’t go wrong with our FGC005GLD Polarised sunglasses. This iconic pilot-style frame is made with metal and plastic. And with polarised lenses, these shades provide UVA-UVB lens protection and glare reduction while exuding cool.
Freedom Polarised
Our Freedom Polarised sunglasses feature a wrap frame that curves around your face to prevent sunlight from getting into your eyes from the sides. This style is great for outdoor sports enthusiasts because it has a durable plastic frame and polarised lenses.
Felix
Kids’ eyes need protection from UV exposure too, and the Felix from our Monkey Monkey® collection is made just for children. Kids will love the frame with matte black on the outside, shiny orange on the inside, and vibrant orange-tinted lenses.
Our sunglasses for men, women, and children have the styles you want and the UVA-UVB lens protection you need. Find your next pair today.
SOURCES:
- Protecting your eyes from the sun’s UV light. National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (NEI/NIH). July 2022.
- Do your sunglasses provide enough UV protection? All About Vision. February 2020.*
- What are the advantages of polarized sunglasses? All About Vision. January 2020.*
The sources listed here have been provided for informational purposes only. The citation of a particular source does not constitute an endorsement or approval of EssilorLuxottica products, services, or opinions by such source.
*Like Foster Grant, All About Vision and AAV Media, LLC are affiliates of EssilorLuxottica.