With the summer sun shining bright, finding the right type of sunglasses to protect your eyes is crucial. UV rays can damage your eyes, but with a variety of sunglass options out there, it is essential to understand each type to ensure you choose the best sunglasses for your needs.
UV Rays and When They Affect Your Eyes
The sun is the primary source of UV rays. UV rays or ultraviolet rays are invisible, high-energy rays of light that can be broken down into three different types, including:
UVA- These rays have longer wavelengths and can pass easily through the glass. There are conflicting opinions on whether these rays cause damage to your eyes or not.
UVB- These rays are considered to be the most dangerous for your eyes, so it is essential to wear sunglasses and sunscreen to protect against these. UVB rays can’t go through glass.
UVC- These rays are blocked by the atmosphere, so they are unable to reach the Earth.
Although the sun is at its strongest from 10 am to 2 pm, UV rays can harm your eyes at a variety of times. If you plan to be spending the day driving or relaxing near the water, snow, or sand, it is vital to protect your eyes from damaging glare and reflections with sunglasses.
The Best Sunglasses for UV Protection
The more effective way to protect your eyes from harmful rays is to wear sunglasses. Available sunglass options include:
Polarized lenses. These lenses help to reduce glare caused by bright light reflecting off of flat surfaces like a lake or a snow-covered ski slope.
Anti-reflective coating. These lenses have an anti-reflecting coating on the back of the lenses to prevent the light from reflecting off the back of your sunglass lenses.
Mirror-coated. This type of lens helps to limit the amount of light that enters your eyes. They have a highly reflective coating that is applied to the front of the lens, making them great for activities out in the snow where the conditions are very bright.
Photochromic. If you require prescription lenses but don’t want to wear your contacts or deal with the hassle of switching from your prescription glasses to your sunglasses. These lenses will be clear indoors and will darken when they are exposed to UV light.
Choosing the Best Sunglasses
If you have any questions about these types of lenses or if you are due for your yearly eye exam, contact Dittman Eye Care today to schedule your appointment and learn more about how you can protect your eyes from harmful UV rays!