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About sunglasses and fashion spectacles
People wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sun. They can also wear sunglasses or fashion spectacles as a fashion accessory.
Sunglasses and fashion spectacles include:
- non-prescription sunglasses mounted in a spectacle frame
- rimless sunshields and one-piece visors
- clip-on and slip-on type sunglasses
- children's sunglasses
- fashion spectacles and light tint sunglasses.
Risks and injuries from the product
Exposing your eyes to very high levels of sunlight can cause serious and sometimes irreversible damage. Some sunglasses can also impair your vision in other ways.
Exposing your eyes to very high levels of sunlight may cause these issues.
Inflammation
Solar ultraviolet radiation can cause an inflammation of the front surfaces of the eye.
Cataracts, pterygium or eyelid cancers
Long-term exposure of the eyes to ultraviolet radiation may also be a factor in causing cataracts, pterygium (abnormal tissue growth over the eye) or eyelid cancers.
Retina degeneration
Long-term exposure to near ultraviolet radiation may be a factor in causing retina degeneration.
Impaired night vision
Some sunglasses reduce the ability to see at low light levels in the late evening or at night. It might also be hard to distinguish colours while driving.
Things to look for when buying the product
Exposing your eyes to too much sunlight can cause serious and sometimes irreversible damage. For this reason, there’s a mandatory standard that suppliers and retailers must comply with.
The sunglasses and fashion spectacles mandatory standard sets out the performance requirements for sunglasses and fashion spectacles.
The mandatory standard doesn’t apply to:
- prescription and readymade spectacles
- safety glasses and safety goggles intended to provide protection against optical radiation other than from the sun
- eye-wear for protection against radiation in solaria
- eye protectors for sport
- glasses used for and clearly labelled as toys.
Lens categories
- Check the label showing the category of protection the sunglasses provide the wearer. Sunglasses come in 5 lens categories.
Lens category 0
These are fashion spectacles, not sunglasses. They have a very low ability to reduce sun glare and may provide only some or no UV protection.
Lens category 1
These are fashion spectacles, not sunglasses. However, they do provide limited sun glare reduction and some UV protection. Category 1 lenses are not suitable for driving at night.
Lens category 2
These sunglasses provide a medium level of sun glare reduction and good UV protection. As the lenses are not as dark as category 3 or 4 sunglasses, they’re good for wearing day-to-day. These sunglasses are good if your preference is for a brighter view and you’re not overly sensitive to light.
Lens category 3
These sunglasses provide a good level of UV protection. Category 3 glasses also provide a high level of sun glare reduction. These sunglasses are good if you prefer darker lenses or are sensitive to light in certain situations. For example, in direct sunlight or sunlight reflection on the water at the beach.
Lens category 4
These are special purpose sunglasses that provide a very high level of sun glare reduction and good UV protection. Lens category 4 sunglasses must not be used when driving at any time.
Sunglasses and fashion spectacles for different activities
- Choose the right sunglasses for your activity. Talk to your optometrist or sunglass specialist to help you choose the right pair.
- Look for sunglasses labelled category 2, 3 or 4, to give your eyes the best UV protection.
- Avoid sunglasses labelled category 1 and category 4 if you plan to wear them while driving.
- For sport, consider durable, glare reduction sunglasses such as those with a lens category 3 or 4.
Sunglasses with photochromic lenses (variable tint)
- Talk to your sunglasses specialist or optometrist to confirm if sunglasses with photochromic lenses are suitable for your planned use.
Photochromic lenses darken on exposure to specific types of light. When that light source is removed, such as when moving indoors, the lenses gradually return to their clear state.
As these lenses react to light, some lenses may not be suitable for night driving. This depends on the time it takes for the tint on the lenses to change.
How to use the product safely
Sunglasses reduce the ability to see at low light levels.
- Sunglasses with lens category 1 shouldn’t be used when driving at night.
- Sunglasses with lens category 4 shouldn’t be used at all when driving. Don’t use these sunglasses indoors when you need good vision.
