Eye Care Support

Sunglasses

Sunglasses protect your eyes from bright light and help shield them from harmful ultraviolet (UV) and infrared radiation.

People vary in how sensitive they are to glare, and their need for sunglasses depends on their lifestyle, work environment and time spent outdoors.

Sunglasses are designed for outdoor daytime use, especially in bright sunshine or glare. They are helpful when bright light causes watering, squinting or excessive blinking, you spend long periods outdoors or you work or play near reflective surfaces such as snow, water or sand.

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Types of sunglass lenses

Tinted lenses

Available in glass or plastic with a range of tint colours, effective sunglasses should block 75–90% of visible light. Grey tints preserve natural colours, while green glass tints can provide good infrared filtering.

Polarised lenses

Polarised lenses reduce glare from reflective surfaces like water and roads while blocking UV radiation. Prescription options are available, although they may reveal dark patches on some vehicle windscreens.

Photochromic lenses

Also known as light-sensitive lenses, these darken in sunlight and should block 75–90% of visible light when fully activated.

Mirrored (reflective) lenses

A reflective metallic coating helps reduce intense glare, making these lenses ideal for bright environments such as snow or open water. Some also filter UV and infrared radiation.

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Sunlight contains UV and infrared radiation, which can cause long-term eye damage. Because UV exposure accumulates over a lifetime, children as well as adults should wear appropriate eye protection.

Sunglasses FAQs

Sunglasses should not be worn at night, particularly when driving, as they reduce vision to unsafe levels. If you feel you need sunglasses constantly for comfort, it’s worth having your eyes checked by an optometrist.

Choose sunglasses that:

  • Meet Australian Standards for UV protection
  • Block ultraviolet radiation
  • Are free from distortion and imperfections
  • Have lenses matched in colour and absorption
  • Can be made to match your prescription if needed
  • Are large enough to provide good coverage
  • Use materials suited to your needs
  • Plastic lenses are lighter and more impact-resistant than glass, but may scratch more easily unless coated. Some glass lenses filter infrared radiation more effectively.
  • Frames should be sturdy and should not obstruct side vision.

Australian Standards classify sunglasses into three main categories:

  • General-purpose sunglasses:Suitable for everyday use, including driving.
  • Specific-purpose sunglasses: Designed for high-glare environments such as skiing or boating.
  • Fashion spectacles: Provide minimal glare protection and are intended for cosmetic use only.

Note, some sunglasses may also be labelled not suitable for colour-defective persons and/ or not suitable for driving.