In the sun, we take care of our skin by using sunscreen. What about our eyes? How do we make sure those harmful rays aren’t damaging our eyes like it damages our skin without protection?

In the realm of luxury eyewear and all of the trends, it can be easy to forget that Sunglasses are eye care – not just a fashion accessory. It is of utmost importance to buy lenses with 100% UVA/UVB protection. Neglecting to do so can actually be more harmful to your eyes than if you didn’t wear any sunglasses at all.

The Dangers of Neglect

It's a common misconception that sunglasses are merely fashion accessories. While they undoubtedly elevate an ensemble, their purpose extends far beyond the realms of glamour. Exposure to the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays, specifically UVA and UVB, can have deleterious effects on your vision and eye health. Sunglasses without UVA/UVB protection dilate your pupils because your eyes are tricked into thinking the surrounding area is darker than it actually is. This allows more UV rays into your eyes than would have entered without the sunglasses. Over time, this can result in serious damage to your eyes, including accelerating the risk of cataracts.

UVA/UVB Protective Lenses

UVA and UVB protective lenses form a shield that blocks out harmful UV rays, ensuring that your pupils remain comfortably constricted, just as nature intended. Think of it like an invisible layer of sunscreen (that never has to be re-applied) on your lenses. This simple yet profound protection can significantly reduce the risk of cataracts, wrinkles, and premature aging.

Scientific Backing

The importance of UVA/UVB protection is backed by science. The American Academy of Ophthalmology emphasizes the significance of sunglasses with adequate UV protection, highlighting their role in preventing eye damage and maintaining healthy vision. Furthermore, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) confirms that UV-protective sunglasses reduce the risk of cataracts.

Guide to select a protective pair of sunglasses

Now that you're enlightened on the importance of UVA/UVB protective lenses, let's navigate the path to selecting the ideal pair.

1. Check the product description: Look for terms like "100% UVA/UVB protection," "UV400," or "UV-blocking." These are indications that the sunglasses are equipped to block out harmful UV rays.
1. Note that “UV400” and “100% UVA/UVB protection” are essentially the same level of excellent protection, there is no inherent difference in the level of protection between the two.
2. If the product description doesn’t call out UVA/UVB protection, it’s probably because they don’t have it.
2. Lens Material Matters: Opt for high-quality materials like polycarbonate or Trivex, as they inherently provide better UV protection than basic plastic.
3. Polarization Plus UV: While polarization reduces glare, it's crucial to ensure that your polarized lenses also offer UVA/UVB protection. Not all polarized lenses offer 100% UVA/UVB protection.
4. Fit and Coverage: Choose sunglasses that fit snugly and cover a substantial portion of your eye area, further minimizing UV exposure.
5. You Get What You Pay For: If your glasses were very cheap (ex: lowest price on Amazon, street corner on Canal Street, gas station), they probably don’t offer UVA protection and will be harmful to your eyes, long-term. These vendors typically sell products that they can source for as low of a price as possible, which can mean that important but invisible elements, such as UV protection, have been omitted for the sake of cost savings.

When you invest in luxury eyewear, you're investing in your eyes' well-being. Eyewear is an extension of self-care. UVA/UVB protective lenses aren't just a feature; they are healthcare. Why else would vision insurance cover frames, even without corrective prescription lenses?

At Memorí, we want to prepare you with facts to make an informed decision on the eyewear that is best for you. We believe in building the best possible products so you can have confidence that even if you didn’t do the research – we did.  Every single pair of Memorí eyeglasses and sunglasses offer 100% UVA/UVB protection and always will.