How to Test if Sunglasses Have UV Protection?

How to test if sunglasses have UV protection? Most of us do not go for a day without sunglasses, but do you know if they are doing the job they have been designed for? Sunglasses are the most potent defense against UV (ultraviolet) radiation, and yet many people are not even sure if their favorite sunglasses have ample sunlight protection. Expanded unregulated UV exposure can have too severe effects on your eyes, so checking your sunglasses for UV protection is never a bad idea.

We’re going to cut straight, and there are only two ways to measure UV sunglass defense. First of all, visit your nearest optician to see whether the lenses can be checked. The second is to search for them at home with a UV lamp.

Both would take a little more effort, but we will outline the following steps to make the process as useful as possible.

Have an optometrist check your sunnies

When you don’t know if a couple of sunglasses have 100% UV protection, it’s a great idea to check them into your optometer. This approach is suggested by Dr. Andrea Thau, an optometer based in New York and former president of the American Optometric Association.

“If you bring them to your optometrist, you can find out if they are safe to check them during your annual complete eye exam,” she suggested. “We have UV protection testing methods, and unfortunately you can’t tell whether they have UV protection just to look at them.”

Look For The UV Protection Label

Trusted brands of sunglasses will often display the type of UV protection on their labels. Either you’ll see labels showing 100% UV protection or UV filter class UV 400. UV 400 lens sunglasses block all light rays up to 400 nanometers, shielding UVA and UVB rays. When shopping for sunglasses, always take care of one of these brands to ensure they provide the best UV security for your eyes.

With a UV flashlight

#1: With a UV flashlight, you can shine a light beam with paper cash or a credit card to expose the integrated protection features. These protection elements light up and glow when exposed to UV light.

#2: After you have checked that the safety elements have responded to the UV light, take your flashlight and direct the beam to the sunglass lens. If the safety elements are not visible any longer, your sunglasses have a UV protection of 100%.

Your sunglasses do not have sufficient UV protection if safety elements are still visible. It is uncommon, even with less costly examples, but it can always happen.

Be Mindful of The Expiration Date

Yeah, there is an expiration date for sunglasses. The average expiration of a pair of sunglasses is two or three years and older. Sunglasses expire when the UV protective layer on the lens is weakened over time and no more extended functions when exposed to UV rays.

The lens quality is most important.

Your optometrist will check the consistency of your lens, which is the key factor. “The quality of the lenses and coatings is what is important,” says Muse Amawi, an optician in New York and general manager at SEE Eyewear.

“Cheaper frames can work as long as you get them from an optical or known optical brand, not a mode brand,” Amawi added.

Watch Out For Dark Sunglasses

The darker the sunglasses, you would say, the easier it to shield the eyes from sun damage. The fact is that the lens’s darkness does not inherently contribute to a more effective blocking of UV rays. If the sunglasses are dark but do not have 100% UV safety lenses, they do not effectively shield your eyes.

Dark sunglasses are primarily incredible for blocking ambient light and light. However, the issue with dark sunglasses is that it opens up your pupils so that more light reaches into your eyes. If sunglasses are not covered against UV, extra UV exposure increases cataracts and macular degeneration risk. If you prefer dark sunglasses, make sure they have 100 percent UV-protected lenses.

Check with an Optometrist

If you are confident your sunglasses are ideal for shielding your eyes from sun damage, you can test them by carrying them to the nearest optical store. Opticians and optometrists are supplied with the right equipment to examine your sunglasses and see what lenses they are made of.

According to Dr. Andrea Thau, an optometrist from New York and former president of the American Optometric Associative, you will see whether sunglasses are healthy during the annual comprehensive eye test. She says: “We have methods of testing their UV protection, and unluckily, you cannot tell if they have UV protection from just looking at them.”

Know What Polarization Is

Polarized sunglasses are increasingly common and for a good reason. Polarized lenses are equipped with a filter that only allows vertical light to pass through and blocks horizontal light. It decreases glare, increases contrast, and improves visual visibility and comfort. Although polarized lenses are not necessary to block the sun’s UV rays, they are extra eye protection that makes clearer sunlight views particularly useful when driving or performing individual sports.

If you want to purchase pairs of high-quality sunglasses, polarized sunglasses are highly recommended. However, remember that polarized lenses may be less suitable for some situations, such as night driving, LCDs, automotive dashboards, clocks, and instrument displays. More information can be found on our blog about the advantages of polarized sunglasses and the difference between polarized and non-polarized sunglasses!

Wearing Sunglasses Without UV Protection

Believe it or not, the use of UV-free sunglasses is worse than no sunglasses at all. The dark tint naturally dilates the eyes when you wear sunglasses, allowing more visible light. If there is little or no UV protection in your sunglasses, your eyes will widen and give more UV light.

Regular clear lens glasses with UV protection of 100 percent would protect you from UV protection rather than sunglasses in this case. We recommend never wearing sunglasses, also known as 400 UV protection, without full UV protection.

How Lens Material Effects UV Protection

Some lens materials like polycarbonate and Trivex are protected by UV, so no additional coating is required to provide complete UV protection. Other materials such as plastic CR-39 and optical glass do not include inherently built-in UV protection. They achieve this by merely applying protective coatings on the outer surface of the lens.

What To Look For When Purchasing High-Quality Sunglasses

Now that you know what you should look for when you assess sunglasses’ quality, you are ready to buy a couple of the right sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and all the risks associated with sun exposure. Read on to find out how to look for a pair of high-quality sunglasses when shopping.

Does the packaging feel well made?

Packaging may not be the core product you pay for, but the truth is that packaging can tell you a lot about the product. Keep in mind that marketers and designers plan and think a lot about packaging a product to increase sales. And it’s more advanced and upscale when it comes to the high-end brands.

It is why packaging is a delicate detail to identify authentic products, not only for sunglasses but for every product designer in general. Quality packaging and accessories such as a pouch, case, and cleaning cloth are provided in the right sunglasses. Every couple of wooden sunglasses from Kraywood come in a robust protective case, a vegan leather case, a recycled linen pouch, and a microfiber cloth that ensures thorough cleaning.

What is the material of the frame?

High-quality frames ensure good quality and long-lasting glasses. The material of the structure is, therefore, a key factor for shopping for sunglasses. You can check the type of material made of sunglasses like wood, metal, or acetate.

The sunglasses of Kraywood come from a range of sustainable furnace woods, stainless steel, and premium acetate. The wood sunglasses are all treated as sweat-resistant and waterproof, making the sunglasses much longer-lasting and durable. Also, all sunglasses are handcrafted with ethical raw materials to promote sustainable business growth.

FAQS (How to Test if Sunglasses Have UV Protection)

Do fake sunglasses have UV protection?

Good quality sunglasses protect against UV light. There are indeed regulations to ensure that all sunglasses sold in the UK comply with stringent safety standards and are tested for compliance. Often, fake sunglasses fail to meet these standards and prevent UV light from reaching our eyes.

How can you tell the quality of sunglasses?

To check for imperfections in the lenses, hold the lenses at arm’s length and look through them in the distance on a straight line, like the edge of the door. Move the lens slowly across the line. If the right edge deforms, swings, curves, or moves, the lens is defective.

Can clear glasses have UV protection?

Clear sunglasses work contrary to popular belief by providing additional UV protection via UV blocking lenses. You can also use anti-reflective lenses to get them. Translucent sunglasses function as well as colored lens sunglasses. And if you do not have a protective UV layer in your clear sunglasses, it is easy to add.

Do cheap sunglasses have UV protection?

You don’t have to pay a bonus for adequate UV protection. While more expensive sunglasses can provide more stylish frames, higher quality lenses, sharper photos, and less glare, it is effortless to find cheap UV-protected glasses.

Conclusion

When shopping for sunglasses, we easily overlook the importance of proper UV protection, especially with all those great styles and vibrant colors. Don’t make the fundamental mistake of the next time you buy a pair overlooking this indispensable feature. It could lead to unnecessary damage to the eye along the way.

If you are searching for a new pair of sunglasses, check out both our curated collection (beforehand) and our below featured sunglass articles!

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