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The Complete Guide to Sunglasses: UV Protection, Lenses & Style
Sunglasses aren’t just a fashion accessory — they’re one of the simplest, most effective ways to protect your long-term eye health. This guide brings together everything we’ve covered on sunglasses, from UV protection and lens technology to frame style and fit, in one place.
Book an AppointmentWhy UV Protection Matters
UV radiation from sunlight doesn’t just affect your skin — it affects your eyes too, and the damage builds up over a lifetime, often without any noticeable symptoms until later in life. Unlike sunburn, you won’t feel UV damage to your eyes happening in the moment, which is exactly why it’s so often overlooked.
Unprotected UV exposure is linked to an increased risk of cataracts, and has been associated with age-related conditions affecting the retina. The skin around the eyes, some of the thinnest and most delicate on the body, is also vulnerable to sun damage, including an increased risk of skin cancers on the eyelids. Short-term, high UV exposure (for example, a day on snow or water without eye protection) can also cause photokeratitis — a painful, temporary sunburn of the eye’s surface.
Look for sunglasses labelled UV400, which block 99-100% of both UVA and UVB rays. This is the standard we check for in every pair we recommend, regardless of style, tint, or price point — a dark lens with no UV filter can actually be worse than no sunglasses at all, since your pupils dilate in the reduced light, letting in more unfiltered UV.
UV exposure is highest in summer but doesn’t disappear in winter — particularly around snow, water, or at altitude, where UV reflects back at you as well as coming directly from the sun. It’s also worth remembering that bright light and glare can aggravate other eye conditions, so good sunglasses are useful well beyond the height of summer.
Are Your Sunglasses Actually Protecting You?
Not every pair of dark lenses offers real UV protection. A few signs worth checking:
- Look for the UV400 or 100% UV protection label — tint alone tells you nothing about UV filtering.
- Be cautious with very cheap or souvenir-shop sunglasses — they’re not always tested to a proper standard, even when labelled.
- Scratched or heavily worn lenses can lose some of their protective coating over time.
- If in doubt, ask us to check them — our team can test the UV protection of any pair of sunglasses, prescription or not, during a visit.
Lens Technology: Which Type of Sunglasses Lens is Right for You?
Not all sunglasses lenses work the same way. Here’s how the main types compare.
Polarised Lenses
Polarised lenses cut out horizontal glare reflected off flat surfaces like water, roads, and snow — making them the go-to choice for driving, fishing, and any activity where glare is a genuine hazard rather than just a discomfort. They don’t increase UV protection on their own, but are almost always paired with a full UV400 filter.
Photochromic Lenses
Photochromic lenses automatically darken in bright light and clear up indoors or in low light, adjusting through the day so you don’t need to switch between glasses and sunglasses. They’re a genuine alternative to standalone sunglasses for many people, particularly if you move between indoor and outdoor environments often.
Tinted Lenses
Tint colour and depth affect more than just look — different tints suit different light conditions and activities, from high-contrast amber tints for overcast days to darker grey or brown tints for bright sun. The tint itself is cosmetic; the UV filter underneath is what actually protects your eyes.
Prescription Sunglasses
If you wear glasses, you don’t have to choose between clear vision and UV protection. Prescription sunglasses combine your correct prescription with a full UV400 tint, in the same range of frame styles and lens technologies covered above — including polarised and photochromic options.
They’re a popular alternative to fitting sunglasses over contact lenses, and mean you get the same sharp vision outdoors as you do with your everyday glasses. This matters more than it might seem: squinting to compensate for an incorrect prescription in bright light adds unnecessary eye strain on top of UV exposure.
Choosing the Right Style
Beyond UV protection and lens type, the right sunglasses come down to fit, face shape, and how they hold up to daily wear.
Common Myths, Sorted From Fact
Price doesn’t automatically mean better UV protection, and a very dark lens isn’t automatically a safer one — what matters is the UV400 rating, not how dark or expensive the lenses look.
Choosing Sunglasses for Summer
From fit and coverage to frame material for active use, our seasonal guide covers the practical side of picking a pair that’ll actually get worn.
What’s Trending in 2025
Frame styles move quickly. Our seasonal roundup covers the shapes, colours and details we’re seeing most in our practices right now.
Sunglasses for Children
Children’s eyes are more vulnerable to UV damage than adults’ — the lens inside a child’s eye is clearer and lets in more UV light before it’s fully developed, meaning a greater proportion reaches the retina. Combined with children typically spending more time outdoors, this makes proper UV protection just as important for kids as for adults, if not more so.
Look for the same UV400 standard, in a well-fitted, comfortable frame a child will actually keep wearing — wraparound styles or a snug fit help stop light creeping in around the edges. For more on protecting your child’s vision more broadly, see our guide to your child’s vision.
Caring for Your Sunglasses
Scratches and residue can degrade both the optical quality and the protective coatings on your lenses over time. Clean them with a proper microfibre cloth and lens spray rather than tissue or clothing, and store them in a case rather than loose in a bag when not in use.
The same principles apply whether you’re cleaning prescription glasses or sunglasses — see our full guide to cleaning your glasses properly for the details.
Featured Brand: Oakley
Oakley is one of our most popular sunglasses brands — built as much for performance as for style.
Built for Sport
From cycling to running to general outdoor use, Oakley’s lens and frame technology is designed to perform under conditions where a standard pair of sunglasses would fall short.
The best Oakley sunglasses for cyclists, runners & outdoor enthusiasts →
More Than Just Style
A look at the technology behind the brand — what actually sets Oakley lenses apart, beyond the logo.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sunglasses
What UV rating should I look for in sunglasses?
Look for sunglasses labelled UV400, which block 99-100% of both UVA and UVB rays. This is the standard to check for regardless of style, tint, or price point — a dark lens with no UV filter can actually be worse than no sunglasses at all, since your pupils dilate in reduced light, letting in more unfiltered UV.
Do polarised lenses offer more UV protection?
Not on their own. Polarised lenses cut out horizontal glare reflected off flat surfaces like water, roads, and snow, making them ideal for driving, fishing, and glare-heavy activities — but they’re almost always paired with a separate full UV400 filter for the actual UV protection.
Can I get prescription sunglasses?
Yes. Prescription sunglasses combine your correct prescription with a full UV400 tint, in the same range of frame styles and lens technologies as regular sunglasses, including polarised and photochromic options.
Do children need UV-protective sunglasses too?
Yes, and arguably more so — a child’s eye lens is clearer and lets in more UV light before it’s fully developed, meaning a greater proportion reaches the retina. Combined with children spending more time outdoors, proper UV protection is just as important for kids as for adults.
How should I care for my sunglasses?
Clean them with a proper microfibre cloth and lens spray rather than tissue or clothing, and store them in a case rather than loose in a bag when not in use — scratches and residue can degrade both the optical quality and the protective coatings over time.
Find Your Perfect Pair In-Store
Our team can talk you through UV protection, lens technology, and frame fit in person — and if you need a prescription, we’ll make sure your sunglasses are just as sharp as your everyday glasses.