Everyone knows that exposure to UV rays can be dangerous, which is why we wear sunscreen when spending time in the sun. But many people forget that their eyes also need UV protection. Long-term sun exposure can have serious effects on eye health, which is why UV-blocking eyeglass lenses are so important. 

Keep reading to learn what UV radiation is, why your eyes need protection from it, some eye conditions linked to UV exposure, the importance of wearing glasses with built-in UV protection, and some additional tips for protecting your long-term eye health. 

Why Your Eyes Need UV Protection

Not all the light from the sun is visible to the human eye. The sun also gives off ultraviolet (UV) light. We can’t see it, but because of its high frequency and short wavelength, it can damage the cells in our bodies — including our eyes — over time, even on cloudy days. 

There are three types of UV rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC rays are largely absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere, but both UVA and UVB exposure can accumulate throughout a person’s lifetime, damaging the surface and internal structures of the eyes. 

Potential Eye Conditions Linked to UV Exposure

Just as prolonged UV exposure on your skin can cause skin cancer, it can damage your eyes if you don’t have proper UV protection. The following eye conditions have been linked to UV exposure:

• Cataracts: Prolonged UV exposure may increase your risk of developing cataracts, which affect your vision by clouding the lenses. 
• Macular degeneration: Macular degeneration is an age-related retinal condition that causes a loss of central vision. Research suggests that UV exposure may contribute to long-term retinal damage. 
• Photokeratitis: Photokeratitis is like a painful sunburn on your eyes. It’s commonly caused by sunlight reflecting off the snow or water. 
• Pterygium (surfer’s eye): Pterygium is a fleshy, raised bump in the corner of the eye that’s typically caused by excessive UV exposure. 

The Importance of Eyeglasses with UV Protection

Not all eyeglass lenses provide complete UV protection. To ensure your eyes are completely shielded from the sun, you should make sure your eyeglasses and sunglasses are made with protective coatings that provide 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. 

Remember that darker lenses don’t necessarily provide better UV protection. While lens tint affects brightness, it doesn’t block harmful radiation. Even clear prescription lenses can offer excellent UV protection. 

Wearing glasses with UV protection is most important on sunny summer days, in winter when the sunlight reflects off the snow, at the beach or on the water, while playing outdoor sports, and while driving. You should wear them even on overcast days, since UV rays can penetrate the clouds. 

Tips for Protecting Your Eyes from UV Damage

If you want to ensure your eyes are protected from UV damage, follow these tips:

• Wear sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection
• If you wear prescription glasses, choose lenses with built-in UV protection
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat for additional protection
• Schedule routine comprehensive eye exams to monitor long-term eye health

UV Protective Eyewear at Wolcott Optical

At Wolcott Optical, we understand that protecting your eyes today can support your long-term eye health, which is why we offer a wide range of UV protective eyeglasses and sunglasses. We can help you find the right eyewear based on your lifestyle, occupation, and vision needs. Visit our store today to explore your options and receive personalized recommendations.

Most people associate eye safety with construction sites and other high-risk environments. However, eye injuries can happen anywhere, even at home. Certain everyday tasks, such as DIY projects, yard work, cleaning, and recreational activities, require eye protection, as well. 

At Wolcott Optical, we want you to have the knowledge and eyewear you need to practice eye safety at home. In this blog post, we’ll explore why eye safety matters, some high-risk activities you should wear eye protection for, what types of protective eyewear are best for which situations, and the role of the eyewear experts at Wolcott Optical.

Why Eye Safety Matters at Home

Your eyes can easily be injured by flying debris, dust, chemicals, or UV exposure. From burns to scratches to punctures, these injuries can cause serious pain and even vision loss, which is why proper eye protection matters, even at home. 

Ensure you follow eye safety guidelines while participating in high-risk activities around your home, including:

• DIY and Home Improvement Projects: Cutting, sanding, drilling, and hammering require extra protection from flying debris. 
• Yard Work and Landscaping: Mowing the lawn, trimming bushes, and blowing leaves exposes your eyes to dirt, rocks, sticks, and allergens. 
• Cleaning and Chemical Use: Using household cleaners, solvents, and sprays comes with a risk of splashes and fumes. 
• Garage and Workshop Tasks: Proper eye protection is essential for automotive repairs, welding, grinding, and other workshop tasks.
• Recreational Activities: Playing sports and participating in hobbies that involve flying projectiles puts your eyes at risk of impact injuries.

Types of Eye Protection for Home Use

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to protect your eyes when participating in these at-home activities. Look for ANSI safety ratings, impact-resistant lenses, UV resistance, and side shields for extra protection. 

Basic safety glasses are typically sufficient for activities with minimal risk, but when chemicals and dust are involved, goggles are the better choice, as they provide full-seal protection. 

You may even have a form of eye protection at home already: sunglasses. While they’re not typically impact-resistant, they block harmful UV rays and can help protect your eyes from debris. 

Eye protection is of utmost importance any time you’re playing outdoor sports. Without the proper eyewear, you’re at risk of eye injury due to UV exposure, impact, wind, or debris. When you have the right glasses, you ‘re not just safer — you can focus more on your performance rather than dealing with glasses that slip down your nose or create a glare in the sun. 

At Wolcott Optical, we understand that eye protection is essential, which is why we offer a wide range of eyewear designed with outdoor sports in mind. Whether you’re a cyclist, runner, water sports enthusiast, skier, snowboarder, or play an outdoor sport with a ball, keep reading to learn some best practices when it comes to eye protection and get some tips for choosing the right gear.

Why Eye Protection Matters in Outdoor Sports

Many common sports — such as baseball, basketball, soccer, football, and tennis — come with the risk of high-speed impacts to the face. And any time you spend time outdoors, you can get dust, insects, or debris in your eyes. 

Another risk that people don’t often think of is UV exposure. Just like your skin, your eyes can get sunburned, too. And that’s not the end of it — long-term UV exposure can lead to eye cancer, macular degeneration, cataracts, and growths on the eye. 

Key Features to Look for in Sports Eyewear

If you’re shopping for eye protection for outdoor sports at Wolcott Optical, here are some features to look for:

• UV protection: Glasses should have 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. 
• Impact resistance: Choose polycarbonate or Trivex lenses that are ANSI-rated for impact resistance. 
• Lens tint: A brown or gray tint can help reduce eye strain due to bright sunlight. 
• Polarization: Polarized lenses reduce glare from water, snow, and pavement. 
• Wraparound design: These glasses provide full coverage to block peripheral light and debris and are more likely to stay in place during movement. 
• Anti-fog: For high-exertion sports, anti-fog coatings can help the lenses stay clear. 
• Secure fit and comfort: You’ll want adjustable nose pads and temple grips, along with lightweight materials, to stay comfortable. 
• Retention straps: Add a retention strap if you won’t want to worry about your glasses flying off your face. 

Sport-Specific Eyewear Recommendations

At Wolcott Optical, we have helped countless customers find eye protection that’s perfect for their favorite outdoor sports. Here are our expert recommendations:

• Cycling: Lightweight, aerodynamic frames, possibly with transition lenses for changing light conditions
• Running and trail sports: Properly fitted glasses that stay in place 
• Water sports (boating, fishing, kayaking): Polarized lenses are essential to reduce glare off the water, as are retention straps to avoid losing glasses in the water
• Winter sports (skiing, snowboarding): Prescription glasses with anti-fog technology that can fit under your goggles
• Ball and contact sports: Impact-rated sports goggles with secure straps and cushioning around the ears and nose

Outdoor Sports Eye Protection at Wolcott Optical

At Wolcott Optical, we want our customers to be able to participate in their favorite outdoor sports without putting their safety or vision at risk. If you’re looking for high-quality protective eyewear, drop by our store in Salt Lake City, Utah, for personalized recommendations and fittings.