Do sunglasses have health benefits beyond UV protection?
AUG 10, 2020
Question:
Do I need sunglasses if my regular prescription eyeglasses have 100% UV protection? Do sunglasses have health benefits beyond UV protection?
Answer:
You need sunglasses to cut down the overall light input to make viewing in bright sunlight more comfortable. Blocking UV is desirable and as you have noted, can be done with your regular prescription if they are designed to block UV. But you need sunglasses for their added effect if you spend a lot of time in the sunlight. Sunglasses can also be made with polarized lenses, which cut down on upwardly reflected light, allowing you to see better over bright surfaces like automobile hoods, wet pavement, snow and water.