Even if you’ve traded in your eyeglasses for contact lenses, there’s another pair of glasses that should be a staple in any wardrobe: sunglasses.

They’re more than just a fashion statement. Sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

“The ultraviolet rays that come from the sun are extremely damaging, not only to your skin but to your eyes as well,” says Madison Lessard, O.D., an optometrist with America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses in Coral Springs, Florida.

Here’s what contact lens wearers need to know to protect their peepers.

Looking for a stylish bargain? Browse our new sunglasses collections here.

How does the sun harm the eyes?

UV exposure in and around the eyes can raise your risk of developing a variety of eye conditions, including cancers of the eye, eyelid, or skin around your eyes.

The sun’s rays can also contribute to the development of two leading causes of vision loss and blindness: cataracts (a condition marked by a clouding of the eye’s lens) and macular degeneration (an incurable eye disease that causes damage to the center part of the retina).

Even in the short term, spending a day in the bright sun with no protection can cause painful inflammation, such as having sunburn in your eye (which is called photokeratitis).

What should I look for when shopping for sunglasses?

Style is important. After all, you’re more likely to wear your sunglasses if you think they look good on you. But your first priority should be protecting your eyes from the sun.

“Not all sunglasses that are on the shelves are going to have UV protection,” says Dr. Lessard.

Pro tip: Make sure you go by the label on the sunglasses, not just how dark the lenses look. You want a pair that blocks 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Look for the words “100% UV protection” or “UV 400.”

And don’t assume that higher priced sunglasses are better at protecting your eyes. “If you’re looking at any of those top expensive frames, you’re paying for the frame and not necessarily the UV protection,” says Dr. Lessard.

Since the area around the eyes can also be damaged by the sun, larger glasses will give you better coverage. Wraparound sunglasses offer the best protection and are especially great for people who wear contacts or have allergies or dry eyes. They help keep pollen, wind, and other irritants out of your eyes.

If you’re outside in the snow or on the water a lot, look for polarized lenses. They help cut that reflective glare, which can leave your eyes feeling tired and irritated.

When should I wear sunglasses?

It’s a good idea to wear sunglasses anytime you’re outside.

“Even if it's cloudy day, the UV rays will still make it through,” says Dr. Lessard. In fact, some cloudy days can result in more UV rays hitting your eyes, due to light reflecting off the clouds.

Donning your sunglasses is even more important when the light reflects off surfaces, like bright white snow, sand, or a body of water.

UV rays intensify as the sun gets more direct, so the time of day (and time of year) can also affect your risk. Check your local weather forecast for the UV index to see when UV rays are strongest.

And don’t forget to wear your sunglasses in the car. Car windshields can block UV light, but side windows don’t, says Dr. Lessard. If you find it difficult to read your dashboard lights with sunglasses on, try gradient lenses, which are darker at the top and lighter at the bottom.

Can’t I just wear UV-blocking contact lenses?

Even long-time contact lens wearers might be surprised to learn that some contacts have built-in protection from the sun.

The level of protection varies between brands, but some contacts claim to block 97% of UVB and 81% of UVA rays, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

But none of these contacts block all UV light, and they don’t protect the sensitive skin around your eyes.

Press play to learn more about why wearing sunglasses is important:

Why would I need prescription sunglasses if I wear contacts?

One of the many perks of contact lenses is that you can wear nonprescription sunglasses on top of them. It’s not as easy (or stylish) to put sunglasses on top of eyeglasses.

But there are still some scenarios where contact lens wearers could benefit from having a pair of prescription sunglasses on hand, including:

• When your eyes need to breathe: Some people’s eyes feel dry after wearing contact lenses all day. Having prescription sunglasses gives you the option to remove your contact lenses when you’re outside, giving your eyes a break.
• When your allergies are flaring up. Even if you clean your contact lenses carefully, it can be difficult to remove every tiny speck of pollen. That’s why some people switch to eyeglasses when allergy season is in full swing. If you take that route, you’ll benefit from having a pair of prescription sunglasses on hand.
• When you have an eye infection. Eye infections like pink eye leave your eyes feeling itchy and irritated, making it tough to wear your contact lenses. What’s more, wearing your contacts while you’re suffering from an eye infection could make the infection worse. It’s safer to opt for eyeglasses, and then wear prescription sunglasses when you’re outside.

A Newer Option: Contacts That Transition

There is at least one brand of contacts that functions like Transitions™ eyeglass lenses, says Dr. Lessard. They darken quickly when exposed to bright lighting conditions and then adjust back to clear in lower light.

But don’t ditch your sunglasses just yet.

Dr. Lessard’s patients have told her that these contacts don’t darken the light as much as sunglasses do. And they only cover the cornea of the eye. Without other protection, the sun’s rays can still damage the rest of the eye, eyelids, and skin around the eye. “But for someone who never wears sunglasses, I would probably recommend them over nothing,” she says.

Medically reviewed by Madison Lessard, O.D.

See our sources:
Cataracts overview: National Eye Institute
Importance of UV protection for your eyes: American Optometric Association
Photokeratitis: American Academy of Ophthalmology
UV-blocking contact lenses: American Academy of Ophthalmology