Sunglasses Offered at Visionary Eye Care

There seem to be as many styles of sunglasses that cater to the people wearing them. From glamorous and sophisticated styles, to the fun and sporty, there are styles available that cater to all preferences. However, what really matters is not how your sunglasses look, but rather how well they protect your eyes and face from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. You can't tell how much UV protection many sunglasses offer, but when you get your sunglasses from our optometrist at Visionary Eye Care, you'll always know your eyes are safe.

The Importance of UV Protection

Ultraviolet, or UV rays, are generated by the sun. Unlike the blinding sunlight, these rays are invisible to the eye -- but their effects aren't. There are actually three distinct grades of UV rays: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC rays are no threat (if only because they're stopped by the atmosphere), but both UVA and UVB rays extend all the way to the Earth and can cause serious conditions such as:

Photokeratitis - Also known as snow blindness, this "eye sunburn" causes pain, redness, irritation and temporary vision impairment.

Cataracts - Cataracts normally appear with age, but excessive UV exposure can hasten the development of these cloudy impediments to vision.

Macular degeneration - UV rays are thought to be a factor in the eventual development or worsening of macular degeneration, a retinal disease that can destroy your central visual field.

Cancer - UV exposure can cause both ocular cancer and skin cancer on the skin surrounding the eyes, including the eyelids.

How Much Eye Protection Do Your Sunglasses Provide?

Those discount sunglasses you bought at the mall may look stylish and give the illusion that they are providing your eyes with protection from the sun, but most of the time these sunglasses will not protect your eyes against the onslaught of UV rays. The darkness of the lenses actually tells you nothing about the degree of UV protection. Many generic sunglasses aren't made up to the standards necessary to provide this kind of eye protection. Your optometrist at Visionary Eye Care recommends "UV 400" UV lenses that block 99-100 percent of wavelengths up to 400 nanometers, the limit of the ultraviolet spectrum.

Say No to Ultraviolet and Yes to Sunglasses From Your Tampa Optometrist!

Visionary Eye Care can fit you with sunglasses that are as good for your eyes as they are for your appearance. Our optometrist on our skilled team can point you toward a variety of UV lenses, from customized prescription models to non-prescription clip-on and fit-over styles. You'll enjoy complete protection from UVA and UVB rays no matter which sunglasses you select. You'll also love the wide range of designer frames we have on hand. We can even provide mirror-finish sunglasses, tinted glasses that darken into sunglasses when exposed to light, and polarized sunglasses to take the edge off the ocean's glare.

Contact Our Optometrist Today!

Don't take chances when protecting your eyes against UV rays. Visit our optometrist in Tampa and Lutz for sunglasses that really get the job done! Call us at (813) 425-9596