We know how damaging the sun’s rays can be to our skin and eyes. Protecting your skin seems fairly straightforward, but when it comes to your eyes, it’s not so simple. However, if you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, you have the option of built-in UV protection, so let’s take a look at whether or not this protection actually protects your eyes.
How Dangerous is UV Light for Our Eyes?
UV light has been dubbed the invisible killer, because we can’t see or feel it. On cool days and overcast days, UV radiation can still be high. Sunlight is made up of two bands of invisible ultraviolet (UV) light – UVA and UVB.
Our eyes are most at risk from the sun’s rays in the early morning and mid-afternoon almost all-year round in Australia – in spring, summer and autumn. The sun is lower and our eyes are directly exposed to UV rays. Most people assume the midday sun is the most dangerous, but this is when the eyebrows are able to shadow the eyes.
UVA rays can cause cataracts and macular degeneration. UVB is what causes sunburn and damage to our eyes. The skin on our eyelids is very thin and susceptible to UV damage. Around 5-10% of skin cancers occur on the eyelid, with around 125-150 Australians are diagnosed with ocular (uveal) melanoma each year. Like skin, the eyes have melanin-producing cells that can develop melanoma.
UV Contact Lenses
UV-blocking contact lenses offer some protection from the sun’s harmful radiation. Some brands of contact lenses come with UV protection as standard. The UV blocking ingredient is either incorporated in the contact lens itself or on the surface. Contact lenses are graded for their UV ray protection – class 1 lenses block 96% of UVA and 100% of UVB, while class 2 lenses block 70% of UVA and 95% of UVB rays.
UV-blocking contact lenses offer protection to the inside of the eyes, but the outside of the eye and eyelids are still at risk. For the best protection, combine UV lens contacts with sunglasses. Look for sunglasses that have a sticker or tag with their UV-blocking capabilities. Ideally, sunglasses should have anti-reflective treatment on the back of the lenses.
Around 50% of UV rays that reach the eye come from the reflection on the back of the lenses. Think about the design of the glasses too – if the glasses are too small or too open at the sides, they won’t have the coverage you need. Sunglasses with a rating of three or four absorb almost all UV radiation. You can read more about the Australian New Zealand mandatory standard for sunglasses here.
Combining UV contact lenses, wraparound sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat when out in the sun can offer your eyes the best sun protection.
UV-Glow Contacts
UV-Glow contact lenses sound like they offer protection from sunlight, but their real benefits are far from it. These coloured contacts are for aesthetics only, designed to make the eyes glow under UV light (black light). Manufacturers use reactive contact lenses with a luminescent material between the two layers of the lens.
Black light is used as special purpose lighting in nightclubs, theatres and stages. The glow contacts are available in every bright colour and grab attention in a darkened room. So, UV-glow contacts are fine for fashion and aesthetics, but won’t protect your eyes from UVA or UVB rays.
UV Protection Glasses
Prescription sunglasses are available in a range of UV protection options. These include polarised lenses, Transitions® and tints.
- Tints can be full or graduated tints and come in different colours.
- Polarised lenses reduce the horizontal glare that comes off highly reflective surfaces such as snow and water.
- Polarised lenses are ideal for people who enjoy boating and fishing.
- Prescription and non-prescription polarised lenses are available.
- Transitions® lenses activate and deactivate when exposed to UV.
- The amount of UV the lenses are exposed to will impact the level of activation. So in partial sunlight or low light, the lenses aren’t as dark as when they’re in direct sunlight.
Alternative to Glasses and Contacts
If you’re looking for a proven alternative to glasses and contacts, and you’re eligible, consider laser eye surgery. Rather than thinking about combining prescription eyewear with sun protection, you’ll only need a pair of sunglasses. Laser and refractive surgery help to improve vision by reshaping the cornea to correct a refractive error. People with astigmatism, presbyopia, short and long-sightedness can have laser eye surgery.
The specialists at Lions Laser Vision are leaders in their field. With access to the latest technology, our specialists are able to vastly improve patients’ vision. Personalised treatment corrects refractive changes based on the patient’s ‘wavefront’ as measured by advanced diagnostic equipment. The data is analysed and treatment calculated to make the shape of the eye as close to perfect.
Sun Protection After Laser Eye Surgery
While laser eye surgery is a fantastic option to have for many people, there are some things you need to do post-surgery and in your recovery. When it comes to sun protection, you will need to avoid UV light exposure for a few months after laser eye surgery to allow your eyes to heal. Wear sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat when you leave the house. Remember, these measures don’t offer 100% protection, so limit your time in the sun. Follow your doctor’s instructions and use the medicated drops as prescribed.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss laser eye surgery further, please contact us online or give us a call on (08) 9381 0758 to speak with one of our clinical coordinators. Alternatively, you can take our free online suitability test to find out if you may be eligible for laser eye surgery.
