How to protect your eyes from the sun: beyond sunglasses

When summer arrives, we think about protecting our skin from the sun with sun cream. But very few people give their eyes the same priority. And they should: sun exposure without adequate protection is one of the main risk factors for eye conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration and pterygium.

Sunglasses with UV protection are the starting point, but on their own they are not enough. In this article we explain everything you can do —and avoid— to protect your eyesight during the sunniest months.

What damage can the sun do to your eyes?

The eyes are extremely sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Accumulated exposure over the years increases the risk of several eye conditions:

Cataracts

UV radiation speeds up oxidation of the lens, encouraging the gradual clouding that causes cataracts. It is the most common cause of avoidable blindness in the world.

Macular degeneration

The macula (the central area of the retina) is especially vulnerable to blue light and UV rays. Damage to it can affect central vision and reading.

Pterygium

An abnormal growth of tissue over the cornea, linked to chronic exposure to sun and wind. It is very common in people who work or play sport outdoors.

Photokeratitis

This is "sunburn" of the cornea, equivalent to sunburn on the skin. It causes intense pain, watering and temporary blurred vision. Very common in snow and at the beach.

Eye and periocular cancer

Accumulated exposure to UV rays also increases the risk of uveal melanoma and carcinomas of the eyelids and conjunctiva.

Pinguecula

A yellowish deposit on the conjunctiva caused by chronic sun exposure. It usually appears before pterygium and can cause irritation and dry eyes.

⚠️ Important: Sun damage to the eyes is cumulative. It is not noticed immediately but builds up over the years. Protection should start in childhood.

Sunglasses: the essential foundation (but not enough on their own)

Sunglasses are the most effective way to protect your eyes from the sun, but only if they meet certain requirements. Not all sunglasses protect equally —and some can even be counterproductive.

UV400

The standard to look for

Glasses marked UV400 or labelled "100% UV protection" block all UV wavelengths up to 400 nanometres, including UVA and UVB rays. It is the only standard that guarantees real eye protection. In Europe, also look for the CE mark showing compliance with EN ISO 12312-1.

What else should you look for in sunglasses?

Feature	Why it matters	Recommendation
UV protection	It is the most important factor, not the colour of the lens	UV400 / 100% UV
Filter category (0-4)	Indicates how much visible light it blocks	Cat. 3 for strong sun, Cat. 4 for high mountains or snow
Lens size	Larger lenses cover more area and reduce the radiation coming in from the sides	Wraparound frame or wide temples
Polarised lens	Reduces glare on reflective surfaces (water, snow, tarmac)	Highly recommended for driving, the beach and the mountains
Lens quality	Low-quality lenses can distort the image and cause eye strain	Mineral or organic lens of optical quality

💡 Myth busted: A very dark lens does not mean more UV protection. In fact, cheap sunglasses with very dark lenses and no UV filter can be worse than wearing nothing: the pupil dilates in the darkness and lets in more UV radiation.

Common mistakes when protecting your eyes from the sun

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Buying sunglasses without checking the UV filter

Sunglasses from markets or fashion shops without a CE mark or any indication of UV protection guarantee no protection at all. Price is no guarantee; the UV400 and CE marks are.

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Not wearing sunglasses on cloudy days

Clouds do not block UV rays. On a cloudy day up to 80% of the UV radiation of a sunny day can get through. The danger exists on grey days too.

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Ignoring the sun in snow or on water

Snow reflects up to 80% of UV radiation, and water up to 25%. At the beach or in the mountains, exposure doubles. Skiers and swimmers need especially high protection.

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Not protecting children's eyes

Children spend more time outdoors and their lens is more transparent, which lets more UV radiation through to the retina. Protecting the eyes from childhood significantly reduces the risk of eye conditions in adulthood.

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Not wearing sunglasses against glare when driving

Sun while driving, especially at peak times (midday and afternoon), is not just annoying: it can cause cumulative eye damage in regular drivers. Polarised sunglasses are especially useful behind the wheel.

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Forgetting the edges of your field of vision

Glasses with small frames leave the sides exposed. Radiation coming in from the sides also does damage. Wraparound frames or frames with larger lenses offer more complete protection.

Beyond sunglasses: other ways to protect your eyes from the sun

Sunglasses are the first line of defence, but complete eye protection goes further:

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Wear caps or wide-brimmed hats

A hat with a brim of at least 7-8 cm can reduce the UV radiation reaching your eyes by 50%. Combined with sunglasses, the protection is far greater than with sunglasses alone.
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Avoid the sun at peak UV hours

UV radiation is strongest between 10:00 and 16:00. If you can, seek shade at those times, especially in summer and at high altitude.
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Have regular eye check-ups

Many sun-related conditions (early cataracts, changes in the macula, pterygium) cause no symptoms in their early stages. An annual eye test allows them to be detected in time.
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Look after your diet

Antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamins C and E, and zinc help protect the retina from oxidative damage caused by light. You will find them in leafy green vegetables, carrots, eggs, citrus fruit and nuts.
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Stay properly hydrated

Heat and sun exposure encourage dry eyes. Drinking enough water and using artificial tears if you wear contact lenses in summer help keep the tear film in good condition.
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If you wear contact lenses, do not forget sunglasses on top

Contact lenses do not protect against the sun. Some photosensitive contact lenses do offer some UV protection, but never enough to replace sunglasses.

✅ Summer tip: At the beach, combine UV400 sunglasses + a hat + a sunshade. Reflection from the sand and water considerably increases UV exposure.

Prescription sunglasses: protection and perfect vision at the same time

One of the most common mistakes among people with a prescription is taking off their prescription glasses and putting on non-prescription sunglasses. This means either not seeing properly —with the accident risk that entails— or going without sun protection.

Today's solutions let you combine both without sacrificing either:

Prescription sunglasses: made to measure with your prescription and high-UV-protection sun lenses.
Photochromic lenses (light-reactive): they darken automatically when exposed to the sun and clear indoors. They offer UV protection at all times.
Clip-ons or sun flaps: an affordable solution that fits your current prescription glasses.

At Òptica Florit we offer all these options. Our specialists will help you choose the solution that best suits your lifestyle and visual needs.

Frequently asked questions about protecting your eyes from the sun

Do designer sunglasses guarantee UV protection?

Not necessarily. UV protection does not depend on price or brand, but on the lens marking. Designer sunglasses without a UV filter do not protect you; affordable sunglasses marked UV400 and CE do. At an optician's you can check the real protection of any pair of glasses with specific measuring equipment.

Do photosensitive contact lenses protect against the sun?

Some contact lenses include UV treatment, but they only protect the area they cover (the central cornea), not the whole eye area or the surrounding tissues. They never replace sunglasses.

At what age should children start wearing sunglasses?

As soon as they start spending time outdoors, even at a few months old. For babies, the most practical option is a visor or pram hood to shade their face; from 2-3 years old there are children's sunglasses with suitable UV protection and flexible frames.

Do polarised lenses protect more against UV than ordinary lenses?

Polarisation and UV protection are independent features. Polarised lenses reduce reflected glare, which improves visual comfort, but on their own they do not offer more UV protection. What counts is the UV filter, which can be present in both polarised and non-polarised lenses.

Do you need to wear sunglasses in winter?

Yes, especially where there is a lot of reflection: snow, high altitude or days with strong glare. In winter the sun is less intense, but reflection off snow can double UV exposure. Winter mountain sports require category 3 or 4 protection.

Need sunglasses that really protect you?

At Òptica Florit you will find sunglasses with guaranteed UV400 protection, with or without a prescription, suited to your lifestyle. Come and see us or book an appointment on our website.

Book an appointment at Òptica Florit