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Will my prescription glasses protect me from the sun?
During the summer months, we are used to swapping our eyeglasses for a pair of sunglasses on a regular basis.
However, we are exposed to varying levels of UV rays throughout the year.
So it's natural to wonder whether the prescription glasses we're wearing protect us from the sun.
Are eyeglasses enough protection from UV rays?
While the dangers of sun exposure to the skin are well known, the dangers to the eyes are often less known, or at least less considered.
Excessive exposure of the eyes to UV rays can indeed lead to various eye diseases such as cataracts and photokeratitis.
To prevent such damage to the eyes, it is important to protect them from the sun's rays.
In fact, not all eyeglasses filter out the harmful UV rays that our eyes are exposed to.
To protect against the sun, corrective lenses should preferably be made of polycarbonate.
This is the only material that offers good protection from the sun by blocking the vast majority of UV rays.
Furthermore, prescription lenses can also be fitted with an additional UV filter.
This specific coating can be applied to any type of lens, regardless of material.
Don't hesitate to ask your Optical Center optician for a UV filter for your eyeglasses.
What's more, only wide, wraparound frames offer protection from side rays.
The best way to protect your eyes from the sun's rays
Although some prescription glasses provide UV protection, it is usually only partial.
That's why it's best to alternate between eyeglasses and sunglasses during periods of strong sunlight or if you're highly exposed to the sun.
As a matter of fact, category 3 or 4 sunglass lenses, specially designed to protect against UV rays, are your best protection.
For added convenience, you can also choose prescription glasses with photochromic lenses.
These lenses darken according to the amount of light they are exposed to.
They go from being simple clear corrective lenses for indoor use to being sun-tinted lenses for outside.
If you're worried about sun exposure, don't hesitate to ask your Optical Center optician for advice.
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