Essential Guide to Buying Sunglasses: What You Need to Know for Ultimate Eye Protection and Style

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With summer well and truly here, you might be in the market for a new pair of sunglasses.

While the style, colour, price, and level of comfort they offer are all key considerations when selecting your shades, there’s one feature that experts say should be everyone’s top priority.

Dr. Ambhruni Padhye, an optometrist and consultant for Specsavers’ clinical services development, emphasized to SBS News the crucial necessity of ensuring your eyewear provides sufficient UV protection.

Anita Dessaix, who chairs Cancer Council Australia’s Public Health Committee, highlighted to SBS News the long-term risks associated with UV exposure. She noted it could potentially lead to serious or irreversible eye conditions, such as cataracts, cancer of the conjunctiva, eyelid and periorbital skin cancer, solar keratopathy, and pterygium.

Short-term problems can include excessive blinking, swelling, challenges looking at strong light, and photokeratitis, which is similar to a sunburn of the eye.

The lens category number, which indicates the level of protection, is typically found on a tag or sticker with the glasses and often also printed inside the frame.

Symbols indicating UV protection standards might be printed on the inside of your sunglasses frame, providing further assurance of compliance. Source: SBS News / Amy Hall

All sunglasses sold in Australia must be tested and labelled in accordance with a mandatory standard.

They are classified into five categories — from 0 to 4 — based on the level of protection they provide against sun glare and UV.

When purchasing sunglasses online, it’s important to verify the lens category number in the product description to ensure adequate protection.

The inner arm of a pair of tortoise-shell sunglasses, with an explanation of what the symbols written on it mean

According to Padhye, the ideal category of sunglasses can vary based on when you intend to wear them, suggesting that personal needs should guide your selection.

If you’re buying sunglasses online, make sure to check the product description for the lens category number.

Dessaix said the Cancer Council recommends wearing close-fitting, wraparound sunglasses with a lens category of 2, 3 or 4 as they “absorb 95 per cent of UV radiation”.

The category of sunglasses that best suits your needs can vary depending on when you plan to wear them, Padhye said.

A table showing the different lens categories for sunglasses and the amount of protection they offer wearers against UV radiation and sun glare.

Each lens category offers different levels of eye protection against sun glare and UV radiation. Source: SBS News

“Category 2 is medium tint and recommended for everyday sun with good UV protection,” Padhye said.

“Category 3 is more of a darker tint, which is ideal for brighter outdoor conditions with strong glare.”

While category 4 sunglasses are ideal for high-glare conditions like snow or water, they shouldn’t be worn while driving at any time.

Those with a lens category of 0 or 1 are generally considered fashion spectacles rather than sunglasses and offer little to no UV protection.

Padhye suggested consulting an eye care professional if you’re unsure whether the sunglasses you’re looking to buy or already own offer adequate UV or sun glare protection.

Other ways to protect your eyes from UV damage

Wearing sunglasses isn’t the only way to shield your eyes from UV damage.

Wearing a wide-brimmed hat can add an extra layer of protection, helping to keep the sun off your eyes and face, Padhye said.

An infographic showing what to do when the UV index is 3 or higher.

Wearing sunglasses is just one part of a sun safe routine. Source: SBS News

“Use sunscreen as well — just be careful because the skin around the eyes is delicate,” Padhye said.

Symptoms of eye sunburn

If your eyes are painful after being in the sun, you may have photokeratitis.

“This is from the cells that are in your cornea getting damaged,” Padhye said.

“The eye can be quite red as well. Sometimes you can get blurry vision, and this can be temporary, but it can also cause a lot of tearing and watery eyes and almost like a gritty, irritated feeling.”

How to treat eye sunburn

If you suspect you have photokeratitis, Padhye said you should stay indoors to minimise further exposure to UV radiation.

“If you do wear contact lenses, I would advise taking them out to avoid further irritation to the eyes,” she said.

“You should also avoid itching. It can be hard, of course, to try not to rub your eyes, but this will definitely make them worse.”

Like the sunburn you may get on your face or body, photokeratitis can be treated at home.

“Some common treatments that can be applied for photokeratitis include using lubricating drops, pain relief medication, as well as placing a cold, damp cloth over your closed eyes to help soothe and cool the eyes,” Padhye said.

But if you want to ensure you’re getting the most appropriate treatment, she recommended seeing an optometrist.

“We do have all the technology to diagnose and treat, and if we do feel there needs further investigation, we can always refer to an eye specialist.”

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and should not be relied on as a substitute for professional medical advice. Readers are advised to consult a qualified health professional for guidance specific to their situation.