UV Safety Month

Author: Meredith Marmurek  

July is UV Safety Month. This UV safety awareness month is observed every year in the heat of summer as a reminder to protect your eyes and skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. 

What Is UV Radiation? 

Ultraviolet radiation is an invisible form of energy produced by the sun and some artificial sources. UV light has an important benefit — it triggers your body to produce vitamin D, which is essential to your health. But too much exposure to UV radiation can damage your eyes and skin.   

There are three main types of UV radiation: 

• UVA rays can lead to skin aging and damage to the eye’s retina and lens.  

• UVB rays can cause premature aging as well as sunburn to the skin and eyes. UVB exposure can eventually lead to skin cancer. 

• UVC rays have the greatest potential to cause harm but they are absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere, so no one is exposed.  

Why Protecting Your Eyes from UV Radiation Is Important 

Damage from UV exposure builds up over time and can eventually lead to serious problems for your eyes and overall health.  

The following eye conditions have been associated with UV exposure: 

• Photokeratitis (sunburned eyes) 

• Pterygium (surfer’s eye) 

• Cataracts 

• Cancers of the eyelid  

• Macular degeneration 

You can reduce your risk of developing these conditions by wearing the appropriate UV protection when you go outside, even if it’s cloudy. 

How to Protect Your Eyes from UV Rays 

Wearing sunglasses and a hat outdoors will help protect your eyes, eyelids, and the delicate skin around your eyes from UV radiation. Ultraviolet protection is important year-round — well beyond UV Safety Month.   

Look for shades with 100% UVA-UVB lens protection or a rating of UV400. This means the sunglasses provide the maximum amount of protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. 

Style and Features 

It’s also important to consider fit, style, and features when you’re shopping for shades.  

Here are a few options to look into:  

• Fits Overs and ClipOns – If you already wear glasses, these styles work with your existing eyewear by either fitting over your frames or clipping onto them. 

• SunReaders® reading sunglasses – If you enjoy reading outside, consider these tinted reading glasses, available with full magnification or bifocal-style lenses.

• Polarized sunglasses – Polarized lenses help reduce glare so that you can see more clearly and comfortably, especially near water and other reflective surfaces. 

• Wraparounds – Wrap-style sunglasses help prevent light from entering your eyes from the sides of your face. 

The best sunglasses for you are the ones you’ll wear, so it’s most important to choose a comfortable pair with maximum UV protection.  

Tips to Keep Your Eyes Healthy 

Wearing sunglasses is just one of many things you can do to help keep your eyes healthy. You should also: 

• Get regular eye exams – During an exam, your eye doctor will check your vision and eye health, and ensure your glasses prescription is up to date. 

• Eat healthy foods – Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids — like salmon and tuna — are great for eye health. Dark leafy greens like kale, spinach, and collard greens can also benefit your eyes. 

• Stay active – Regular exercise can help lower your risk of high cholesterol, diabetes, and other conditions that can negatively affect the health of your eyes. 

• Quit smoking – Smoking increases your chances of developing cataracts and macular degeneration. It also can damage your optic nerve. 

• Wear sports glasses and safety goggles – If you play sports or work in a job with eye hazards, use protective eyewear to help prevent eye injuries.  

• Give your eyes regular breaks – If you spend a lot of time staring at a computer screen, your eyes may start to feel tired. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. 

You can protect your eyes year-round and observe UV Safety Awareness Month this July by wearing sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen whenever you’re outside. If you’re ready for new shades, Foster Grant has a wide variety of sunglasses styles to shop from, and they all come with 100% UVA-UVB lens protection. 

SOURCES: 

1. Ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer. Cleveland Clinic. November 2022. 
2. UV and sunglasses: How to protect your eyes. All About Vision. March 2019.* 
3. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation and sun exposure. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). July 2023. 
4. Protecting your eyes from the sun’s UV light. National Eye Institute. July 2022. 
5. Keep your eyes healthy. National Eye Institute. May 2021.  

The sources listed here have been provided for informational purposes only. The citation of a particular source does not constitute an endorsement or approval of EssilorLuxottica products, services, or opinions by such source. 

*Like Foster Grant, All About Vision and AAV Media, LLC are affiliates of EssilorLuxottica.