Protecting eyes from harmful ultraviolet

How can UV rays damage your eyes?

Protecting your eyes from from harmful ultraviolet light

Protecting your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays is just as important as protecting them from impact

Ultraviolet rays are invisible waves of electromagnetic radiation produced by the sun. They are transmitted in waves towards the earth's surface and form part of the electromagnetic (light) spectrum. UV rays are invisible to the naked eye with wavelengths shorter than that of visible light, but much higher energy levels.

UV is made up of 3 types of rays, UVA, UVB and UVC depending on the frequency of the waves. UVC rays have the highest energy levels with wavelengths of 100-280 nanometer (nm) but are absorbed by the earth's protective ozone layer. Both UVA and UVB rays penetrate the atmosphere and can cause conditions such as premature skin ageing, eye damage (including cataracts) and skin cancers.

Protecting your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays

UVA rays (320–400 nm) can pass through the cornea and reach the lens and retina. Overexposure has been linked to the development of certain types of cataracts.

UVB rays (280–320 nm) are partially filtered by the ozone layer but some still reach the eye. They can cause corneal problems, distorted vision and a painful condition called 'snow blindness'.

UVC rays (100–280 nm) are potentially the most harmful to your eyes and skin but fortunately the atmosphere's ozone layer blocks virtually all UVC rays.

Protecting your eyes with uvex

Even though our eyes are equipped with their own defence system, this alone is not enough to protect them from harmful UV rays. Reflexes like squinting and pupil dilation are only triggered by the sun’s visible light, meaning on cloudy days the amount of UV light reaching your unguarded eye can be dangerous. Highly reflective surfaces like water, snow and glass reflect a significant amount of UV radiation and UV can even be a risk when working indoors, particularly in workplaces where artificial UV lamps are used.

The uvex brand has always been synonymous with optimum protection against UV radiation. For many years now, we have been providing advanced eyewear technology, such as UV400, as standard and all uvex safety glasses offer 100% UVA, UVB and UVC protection.

The name UVEX stands for UltraViolet EXcluded

uvex UV400 — 100% protection against UVB and UVA radiation

Most industrial safety eyewear only complies with the industry standard, which prescribes protection up to 380 nanometres (nm).

The latest scientific findings show that this is not enough with the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommending UV protection up to 400 nm.

Protection up to 380 nm offers 100% protection against UVB rays, but only provides partial protection against equally dangerous UVA radiation.

uvex UV400

filters all UVA rays (at 380 nm, 20% of damaging UVA still passes through the lenses).

uvex UV400

minimises the thermal impact on cells (10 times greater in the 380-400 nm range) which can damage and alter cell structure.

uvex UV400

reduces aggressive blue light content (HEV: high-energy visible light), which is harmful to the retina, by 15%.

uvex UV400

protects the eyes and surrounding skin from dangerous long-term damage.

uvex UV400

Included in all uvex safety eyewear

UV light isn’t part of the visible light spectrum, so blocking UV rays is different to needing a shaded lens on a bright sunny day. Wearing the right safety spectacles will give your eyes the extra protection they need to filter out the dangerous UV rays in sunlight, protecting your eyes for years to come.

Whether you choose clear or tinted lenses, all uvex safety eyewear is equipped with uvex UV400 effective UV protection as standard - as well as being highly comfortable, sporty in design and featuring top-quality scratch-resistant and anti-fog lens coatings.

uvex safety glasses offer 100% UVA, UVB and UVC protection

See how much protection a uvex clear lens really provides in our video:

Using a specialist camera, we can see deeper layers of the skin, including sun damage that is not yet visible, as well as sun damage that is already visible. The UV light in the camera demonstrates the power of the UV protection in uvex safety glasses as the light cannot travel through the lens and shows up black in the image. This is exactly the same as how harmful sun rays cannot travel through the polycarbonate lens, protecting your eyes from damage.

Got a question? We’re here to help

Looking for further guidance?

Choosing the right PPE can make all the difference when it comes to safety, comfort, and compliance. If you’d like tailored advice or want to trial uvex products in your environment, get in touch via our quick contact form, call our team on +44 (0)1252 731200 or email marketing@uvex.co.uk.

FAQ's

How do UV rays actually damage the eyes?

UV-A rays penetrate deeper into the eye and can contribute to long‑term issues like cataracts and macular degeneration, while UV-B rays affect the cornea and lens and can cause immediate issues such as photokeratitis (corneal sunburn).

What eye conditions are linked to prolonged UV exposure?

Common UV‑related eye problems include cataracts, pterygium (surfer’s eye), photokeratitis, macular degeneration, and even skin cancer around the eyelids.

Are my eyes at risk from UV rays even on cloudy or winter days?

Yes. UV rays penetrate through clouds and can be reflected off surfaces like snow, water, sand, and buildings—meaning your eyes are still exposed even in shade or during winter months.

What should I look for when choosing glasses to protect my eyes from UV damage?

Choose glasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays (or are labelled UV400). Lens darkness doesn’t indicate UV protection, so always check the rating. Wraparound or larger frames offer better coverage by reducing light entering around the lenses.

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