All about sunglasses: answering your most burning questions

What are the benefits of UV protection for my eyes? Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can cause serious ocular issues over time. Subjecting your eyes to UV radiation over a short but intense period of time can cause photokeratitis, likened to a sunburn of the eyes, which causes painful but temporary symptoms like red eyes, tearing, and extreme sensitivity to light.

Exposure to solar radiation over many years can increase the risk of developing serious eye diseases like cataracts, eye cancer, or macular degeneration (which can result in severe loss of central vision).

Thankfully, sunglasses that provide 100% protection from UVA and UVB rays (the two basic types of ultraviolet rays that reach the earth) are a great way to prevent these issues.

When should I wear my sunglasses?

All the time! Our eyes are just as exposed to UV rays on cloudy days as they are on sunny days. Many winter days are perhaps even more worthy of proper protection, as snow reflects 94% of UV rays.

What are polarized sunglasses? In addition to offering protection from ultraviolet rays, polarized lenses significantly reduce the intensity of the sometimes-blinding glare caused by sunlight bouncing off a flat surface – like water, snow, or the road. If you’re interested in knowing more, we put together a primer on polarized lenses that delves deeper into it.