UV Protection: Why it matters

The primary function of a pair of sunglasses is not to simply make us look fabulous, but to protect the eyes and the delicate skin around them from harmful (read: ageing!) UV rays.

Even if your eyes don’t feel physically affected/ strained by bright sunshine or glare, the sun’s rays can cause a variety of vision issues.

When buying a pair of sunglasses, always opt for lenses that feature 100% UV protection – these will protect your eyes for every-day use.

For conditions such as snow-glare (hello, ski-holiday!), and days at the water-side, opt for polarized lenses.

What's the fuss about gradient lenses? They're perfect for driving!

These lenses are darkest at the top of the frame – shielding your eyes from overhead glare and light, while simultaneously allowing more light to enter from the bottom of the frame – allowing for a clear view of your dashboard.

Does darker = better UV protection?
While darker lenses decrease the amount of visible light that passes through the lenses in comparison to lighter lens shades, they don’t necessarily provide greater UV protection (which is an invisible light).

Therefore, as long as the lenses in question feature 100% UV protection, the choice of lens colour is purely aesthetic, because – well – fashion.