Protecting your eyes with UV blocking contact lenses

With the summer months rapidly approaching, the addition of UV protection to contact lenses has never been more popular. We know that direct exposure to the sun can leave the skin vulnerable to harmful ultraviolet rays, but not many people know that those rays can also have damaging effects on the eyes. UV-protected contact lenses help block out some of these rays while ensuring the wearer has clear, focused vision.

How important is UV blocking for contact lenses?

Eyes, like skin, can be damaged by too much exposure to UV light in too short of a time. In the same way that our skin collects the rays, so do our eyes. The areas of the eye most often at risk of UV damage are the lens, cornea, and retina. While some level of UV light is acceptable, direct and prolonged contact can often lead to damage. So, if you spend an above-average amount of time in the sunlight, you should consider UV-blocking contact lenses.  

The American Optometric Association understands the ways that UV rays enter the eye. They determined that, unless a person is wearing wrap-around sunglasses, some harmful UV rays can still penetrate the eye from above, below, and through the sides of sunglasses. This damage is mitigated by UV protection on contact lenses, as long as those lenses meet specific criteria. In general, lenses need to block a certain percentage of UV rays in order to classify themselves as FDA Class I or Class II blockers. 

What does it mean when contacts are UV-blocking? 

Sunglasses protect the eyes from many of the UV rays that would otherwise pass into our eyes, but they don’t stop everything. That’s where UV protection contact lenses come in. These enhanced contact lenses do the same thing as standard contacts: they ensure clear vision. But they have an added benefit. They serve as another line of defense against the unwelcome invasion of UV light into the eye. 

Do contacts have blue light protection? 

If you spend a lot of your time staring at screens (and who doesn’t these days), contacts with blue light protection might be a good fit for your eyes. They help lessen eye strain and keep your eyes from taking in excessive blue light. Not all contacts have blue light protection, but you can find some that do. Acuvue Oasys with Transitions™ and Biofinity Energys are a couple of great options.  

Do they make contacts that are like sunglasses? 
Absolutely, they do. Take a look: 

Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear Plus 

These lenses have the highest levels of UV protection on the market today, blocking 99% of UVB and 95% of UVA-1 rays. These are great for those who need higher levels of protection, especially those who spend a good deal of time outdoors, whether working or playing in direct sunlight. As an added bonus, these lenses have Hydraclear technology that helps maintain moisture throughout the day. You can find our Acuvue page here. 

Clariti® 1 Day 

Clariti 1 Day contact lenses are designed with UV-blocker to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. And there’s an added bonus: they’re environmentally friendly. They’re the first-ever net plastic neutral contact lenses. Plus, for every clariti 1 day contact lens sold in the US, they partner with Plastic Bank® to collect and convert an equal amount of ocean-bound plastic through their global network.  

Acuvue 2 

The Acuvue brand tends to be reliable for UV protection in general. The Acuvue 2, like the others in the brand, has a slight tint that offers some protection from UV rays and should be considered by those looking for additional protection when the sun’s rays are most direct.  

There are many more brands that offer UV protection contact lenses, but Acuvue is popular in this area. They promote UV protection better than most and, more importantly, they provide comfortable, quality contact lenses. Whichever brand you choose, these are the best style of contact lenses for everyday usage during the summer months. 

Even when nothing sounds better than racing out to spend an afternoon in the sun, it’s still a good idea to spend a few minutes protecting your body. Sunscreen helps keep ultraviolet rays from damaging the skin and UV protection contact lenses do the same thing for the eyes. The best health insurance has always been prevention. A few minutes of researching the best UV protective contact lens brands is one small step that can save summer revelers from potential eye damage. Enjoy the sunshine! 

Original published date: 1/24/2020

Updated: 8/8/2022