What is the Recommended Amount of UV Protection that Sunglasses Should Provide?

Sunglasses should protect the eyes—period. Yes, they should be stylish, but UV protection is the most important benefit that you derive from wearing sunglasses. What’s the recommended amount of UV protection that sunglasses should provide, though? The best sunglasses are the ones equipped to block 100% of UV rays. That’s why all of Woodies’ sunglasses come standard with 100% UV protection (UVA and UVB).

Benefits of Wearing Sunglasses

Before delving deeper in finding out what’s the recommended amount of UV protection that
sunglasses should provide, you need to understand why you should wear sunglasses. Yes, it’s true that sunglasses help you look cool – especially ours – but according to the American
Optometric Association, wearing sunglasses has many health benefits. The benefits include protection against UV rays, which can cause cataracts.

Other benefits of wearing sunglasses include:
a) Improved vision that helps you to avoid squinting
b) Easy adaptation to light changes
c) Protection against the solar spectrum’s blue light, which often causes macular degeneration

So, just so we are clear… What’s the recommended amount of UV protection that sunglasses should provide?

100% Protection

The recommended amount of UV protection you should expect from sunglasses is 100%.
Sunglasses with a UV 400 protection are the best weapons for waging a successful war against the harmful UV rays. With this amount of protection, your eyes will be safe despite exposure to UVB and UVA radiation. If your current sunglasses don’t offer you this type of protection, ditch them and get you a pair of our wood sunglasses.



A misconception or myth worth debunking is that sunglasses with dark shades or tints provide 100% UV protection. The truth is that the market has sunglasses with clear lenses that provide 100% protection. Similarly, the market has plenty of dark sunglasses with heavy tints that lack the recommended amount of UV protection – don’t buy these!

 

What does UV 400 Protection Mean?

Sunglasses with UV 400 protection are the best for many reasons. First, you’re assured of
adequate protection against 99-100% of all radiation caused by UVB and UVA rays because it blocks all harmful rays for up to 400 nanometers in wavelength. You cannot get a higher form of protection for your eyes from any lens than UV 400.



The recommended amount of UV protection that sunglasses should provide is either UV 400 or 100 percent. Sunglasses that do not provide this level of protection will only be good for making you appear cool and not much else. The best sunglasses protect your eyes against the most harmful UV rays that can destroy them, cause partial blindness, and affect your health, AND make you look awesome while hanging out on the beach.