Sunglasses offer the perfect opportunity to elevate your look to glamorous new heights. Not only are they practical, but undeniably chic. While style matters, it’s important that your sunglasses are fully equipped to protect your eyes from UV radiation.
In this guide, we’ll be discussing all things sun safety for your eyes. We’ll answer queries like, ‘How to know if sunglasses have UV protection?’ and ‘What is good UV protection for sunglasses?’ Keep reading to discover your new go-to pair of stylish sunglasses at Estella Bartlett.
What is UV?
With summer comes sun-kissed skin and radiance unrivalled throughout the rest of the year. But whilst there’s no better feeling than soaking up the sun, it’s important to be weary of the effects that UV radiation can have on our bodies.
UV is a kind of light radiation emitted by the sun. Healthy amounts of UV are vital for our body’s vitamin D production, but excessive exposure can lead to sunburn, premature aging, eye damage, and even skin cancer.
What is Good UV Protection for Sunglasses?
When the sun comes out, we all look forward to the effortless glamour of sunglasses. Whilst it's tempting to focus primarily on the colour and shape of your frames, it’s important to consider the protection offered by your lenses. We recommend shopping for sunglasses with UV400 protection. This rating means that your sunglasses block between 99 and 100% of UV rays, offering wearers plenty of protection from the effects of the sun on the eyes.
How to Know if Sunglasses Have UV Protection
If you’re unsure whether the sunglasses that you have your eye on offer UV protection, take a look at the tag or sticker, which are typically labeled with their UV rating. You can also look for the CE or UKCA mark, indicating that your glasses meet the British or European safety standards.
What Is the Difference Between Polarised and UV Protection
During your search for the perfect sunglasses, you may have come across both ‘polarised lenses’ and ‘UV lenses’, but what is the difference between the two?
|
Feature |
UV Protection |
Polarised Lenses |
|
Primary Goal |
Blocks UV radiation to protect and maintain the health of the eyes. |
Designed to block horizontal glare for increased comfort and clarity. |
|
Benefit |
Prevents damage caused to the eye by UV radiation, limiting the risks of cataracts, vision loss, or even sunburn of the cornea. |
Helps to reflect the brightness of water, snow, or roads when the sun is at its strongest. |
|
Necessity |
Essential for protecting the eyes during outdoor activity. |
Excellent for helping people see better whilst driving, skiing, or being by the seaside. |
In essence, the purpose of UV lenses is to protect the eyes from harmful rays, whereas polarised lenses strive to reduce glare and improve the clarity of vision.
Are Darker Lenses Better at Protecting My Eyes?
It makes sense to assume that darker lenses offer increased protection, but this isn’t necessarily true. UV protection actually comes from a clear chemical coating which is applied to lenses - so the colour of the plastic actually has no bearing over UV protection. Instead, the darkness of the glasses works to limit visible light transmission, reduce straining, and improve clarity.
Discover Estella Bartlett’s Sunglasses
Why sacrifice style for sun safety for your eyes when you can enjoy both? At Estella Bartlett, our quality pieces are designed with both fashion and functionality in mind. So, whether you’re looking for aviator frames to throw on near the pool, or need some cat-eye glasses to elevate your Europe-ready summer looks, you’ll find endless styles to complement your aesthetic in our collection.
Shop Our Collection
Step up your summer style this year with Estella Bartlett’s stunning selection of jewellery, bags, and accessories. The sun is shining and you should be too! So, explore our range of shimmering necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more, and create beautiful looks that enhance your natural glow. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or need meaningful gifts for your loved ones, you’ll find plenty of stunning pieces at Estella Bartlett.
