The importance of sunglasses with UV protection
A great pair of sunglasses should not only compliment your style, but they should protect your eyes from the damaging effects of the sun's harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays. Whether you’re hitting the beach, driving, or just going out for a walk, a good pair of UV sunglasses can offer many benefits. As well as adults, children also benefit from sun protection. Keep reading to find out more about UV protection, and the different types of lenses that are available that work best for your lifestyle.
Why do I need sunglasses?
Our eyes are up to 10 times more sensitive to UV damage than our skin. From cataracts, where the lens gradually clouds and your vision becomes blurry, to macular degeneration, where the central part of your vision fades, exposing our eyes to UV light could have damaging long-term effects. By wearing sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection, you can help shield your eyes from harmful rays and preserve your vision.
Top benefits to wearing sunglasses
• Reduces eye strain and fatigue. Bright sunlight can cause you to squint and strain your eyes. This can lead to discomfort as well as headaches.
• Acts as a guard for your eyes. As well as protecting your eyes from sunlight, sunglasses can help keep out dust, sand and wind
• Improves visual clarity. Sunglasses can help you to see better in bright conditions by reducing glare and improving contrast. So whether you’re driving, skiing, or fishing, you can enjoy the view in comfort.
• Helps to reduce premature wrinkles and fine lines. The skin around the eyes is delicate and prone to sun damage. UV protection sunglasses can help reduce squinting in addition to providing protection against harmful UV rays, keeping your skin healthier.
• Helpful for post-surgery recovery. If you have had eye surgery such as cataracts removal, your eyes are likely to be more sensitive to light. UV sunglasses can help with recovery by shielding your eyes from excessive brightness and irritations.
Choosing the right sunglasses for you
Not all sunglasses are made the same. So when you decide to purchase a pair, it’s good to consider what to look out for and what you might benefit from having:
• UV protection – Ensure your sunglasses block 100% UVA and UVB rays. At Boots Opticians, all of our sunglasses come with 100% UVA and UVB rays.
• UV protection levels - The level of UV protection provided by sunglasses can vary from pair to pair. You can also check that your sunglasses meet the International Standard of ISO 12312-1:2013 (en).
• Polarised lenses – although they don’t offer extra UV protection, these lenses can help to reduce glare and improve visibility. Find out more about the different types of lenses available in our lens guide.
• Lens colour – darker lenses don’t always mean they offer better protection. It’s best to check for UV blocking capabilities. In fact, wearing sunglasses with darker lenses without enough UV protection can be more harmful, because the eyes’ pupils dilate (when the black centre of the eye (pupil) gets bigger and lets more harmful light in). Find out more about how the eye works.
• Tinted lenses - Although tinted lenses won’t affect the level of UV protection, adding a coloured tint can help reduce eye strain and glare, as well as improve contrast and enhance depth awareness.
• Wraparound frames for additional protection from side light. If you’re looking for summer ski holidays, we’ve got some top tips on choosing the best sunglasses for winter sports here.
• Contact lenses and glasses with clear lenses. You can also get UV protection added to contact lenses and even to glasses with clear lenses like these ZEISS lenses.
• Corrective lenses – if you need corrective lenses added to your sunglasses, you just need to bring a valid prescription within two years with you when purchasing your new sunglasses. If you don’t have a prescription, you can book your eye test online.
Should children wear sunglasses?
Children’s eyes are particularly prone to sun damage because they have larger pupils and clearer lenses, which allows more UV rays to get in. So it’s important that your child wears sunglasses to ensure their eyes are shielded from harmful rays. If you’d like some inspiration, browse our collection from popular brands like Ray-Ban as well as great value eyewear from our in-house brand Boots Eyewear. Visit all kids’ sunglasses.
When to wear sunglasses
Do you still need sunglasses when it's cloudy?
The sun's rays can be just as tough on your eyes as when it's overcast. In fact, cloud cover only reduces the amount of UV light by just 10 percent, so it’s still important to wear sunglasses when it’s cloudy.
Do you still need sunglasses in the winter sun?
The sun's rays are still strong even when the sun sits lower in the sky. In fact, when the sun is sitting lower in the sky, glare & reflections from shiny road surfaces can be even more of an issue. So it’s best to still wear sunglasses during colder months.
Need a new pair?
All of our sunglasses are available with prescription or non-prescription lenses. From designer brands like Ray-Ban & Saint Laurent to own brand frames like Boots Eyewear & Kyusu – we have a range of frames to choose from, whatever your style. If you’d like to find out how to choose the best frames for your face shape, take a look at our top style tips to find your frames.
Our spring / summer 2025 style guide will help you get inspired on the latest trends this year, but if you need more help, come in and see us.
