Can prescription eyeglasses protect you from the sun? Here's why sunglasses still help

Protecting your eyes from the sun is crucial, with experts likening sunglasses to 'sunscreen for your eyes.' Laura Di Meglio, an ophthalmology professor at Johns Hopkins Medicine, stresses their importance in safeguarding eyelids, the surrounding skin, and the eye's surface from damaging UV radiation.

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Sunglasses are sunscreen for your eyes.

While clear prescription eyeglasses can offer a degree of protection, particularly if they incorporate UV-blocking features, they may not be a complete substitute for sunglasses. Dr. Sheri Rowen, a board-certified ophthalmologist, notes that people often assume tinted lenses are the only effective option, but modern prescription lenses can also be treated or made with materials that block UV rays.

Sunlight emits UVA and UVB radiation, both of which reach Earth and can harm the eyes. UVB is considered more dangerous, but both contribute to eye issues. Prolonged exposure increases the risk of developing cataracts earlier than normal, worsening macular degeneration, and causing growths like pterygium and pinguecula. Pterygium can grow onto the cornea and potentially impair vision, sometimes requiring surgery.

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They help protect your eyelids, the skin around your eyes and the surface of the eyes.

The delicate skin around the eyes is also vulnerable, with 5-10% of skin cancers in the U.S. occurring on the eyelid. Beyond health concerns, excessive light exposure can cause squinting, which accelerates the appearance of wrinkles. Sunglasses help relax eye muscles, preventing this strain and contributing to a more youthful appearance.

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People assume that they need tinted lenses, she explained, but some of your bases are covered if you wear prescription frames.

Therefore, even with prescription glasses, a separate pair of sunglasses can offer enhanced protection against both UV damage and the discomfort of bright light, helping to preserve both vision and the aesthetic health of the eye area.

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UV radiation can cause cataracts to form earlier.