When people think of sun protection, they often reach for sunscreen but forget their eyes. That intense summer glare bouncing off pavement or the sharp winter sunlight reflecting snow can do just as much harm to your eyes as it does to your skin.
At Eye Contacts, we help families in Vancouver protect their sight with high-quality frames available in a range of styles. As a family-run practice, we’ve seen firsthand how long-term sun exposure can impact eye health over time. Our eye doctors are passionate about educating our community about proactive eye care that goes beyond the basics.
How the Sun Damages Your Eyes
The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays that can harm your eyes in multiple ways. Overexposure to UV rays has been linked to several eye conditions, including:
- Cataracts: UV radiation can contribute to the clouding of your eye’s natural lens, leading to blurred vision over time.
- Macular Degeneration: The sun’s rays can damage the macula, the part of your retina responsible for central vision.
- Pterygium: This growth on the white part of the eye, often called “surfer’s eye,” is strongly associated with UV exposure.
- Photokeratitis: A painful condition similar to sunburn on the cornea, often triggered by sudden, intense sun exposure, especially around water or snow. Just like skin, your eyes are vulnerable to both long-term cumulative damage and short bursts of intense exposure to UV rays.
Why You Need UV Eye Protection, even in the Winter
Winter often brings a unique set of risks that can leave your eyes more exposed than you might expect. At Eye Contacts, we help patients in Vancouver understand how seasonal changes affect their eye health, and why UV protection is just as important in December as it is in July:
The Reflection Effect
Snow reflects up to 80% of UV rays, bouncing sunlight directly into your eyes. On bright, snowy days—especially during activities like skiing or walking by frozen lakes—you may actually absorb more UV radiation than during a summer afternoon at the beach.
Thinner Ozone = Higher Risk
The ozone layer helps filter out harmful UV rays, but in winter months, it tends to be thinner, particularly in northern regions like Vancouver. That means more UV reaches ground level and your eyes, regardless of the chill in the air.
Cloud Cover Doesn’t Block UV Light
It’s easy to assume cloudy or overcast skies offer protection, but UV rays can penetrate cloud cover. Even on a grey winter day, your eyes are still at risk.
How to Know If Your Sunglasses Offer Proper UV Protection
Not all sunglasses are created equal. Just because a pair is tinted or stylish doesn’t mean your eyes are safe. Here's how to check if your sunglasses offer the proper protection:
- Look for 100% UV Protection: The label should say “100% UV protection” or “UV400,” which blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
- Skip the Dark Tint Myth: Dark lenses without UV protection can do more harm by dilating your pupils and allowing more UV rays to enter.
- Choose Wraparound or Oversized Frames: These help block UV rays from reaching your eyes from the sides.
- Consider Polarized Lenses: While polarization doesn’t block UV rays, it reduces glare from reflective surfaces like snow, water, and roads, making your vision more comfortable.
- Prescription Options Are Available: At Eye Contacts, we can customize your prescription lenses to include 100% UV protection without sacrificing clarity or style. Don’t Rely on Price Alone: Expensive doesn’t always mean effective. What matters is the UV rating, not the brand name.
If you’re unsure, bring your pair of sunglasses in—we’re happy to test them or help you pick out a reliable new pair.
Protect Your Eyes All Year Long with UV-Blocking Sunglasses in Vancouver, BC
Whether you’re skiing on Mount Seymour or strolling around Trout Lake, your eyes deserve year-round protection from harmful UV rays. At Eye Contacts, we carry a wide range of sunglasses—prescription and non-prescription—with 100% UV protection for every age and lifestyle. Our opticians and doctors are here to help you choose frames that fit well, feel great, and actually protect your vision, no matter the season.
Book your eye care appointment with us in Vancouver to try on sunglasses in person or ask us to check the UV protection in your current pair. Let’s make sun safety a year-round habit, starting with your eyes.
