Sunscreen and sunglasses go together

31st July 2018

Summer is in full swing and what a summer it has been here in the UK with weeks of sunshine. We’re naturally pleased too that the UK media have been reminding people that when outdoors not only should you use sunscreen but protect your eyes with a good pair of sunglasses. We make no apologies for reiterating that the biggest risk of sun exposure to the eyes is the development of cataracts — a clouding of the lens in the eye that reduces vision. Cataracts are a common ailment, particularly as people age. But wearing sunglasses will limit the progression of an ailment that can ultimately lead to blindness. Ultraviolet (UV) exposure can also increase the risk of macular degeneration and cancer of the eyelids and wearing sunglasses will also help prevent both of these. When buying look for a CE Mark printed on the inside of one of the temples. Good quality sunglasses will also likely have UV400 printed on them (or on a label/sticker supplied with them), which means they provide over 99% protection from harmful UVR. However you don’t have to buy expensive sunglasses to get protected – it is perfectly possible to buy sunglasses at under £20 from reputable brands that provide 100% protection from UVR. And it’s worth noting that all the sunglasses and eyewear we sell on our website are UV400 rated.