Sunglasses

Designer Eyewear | Premium Lenses

Weeden Eye Clinic 662-539-7801

Corinth Eye Clinic 662-286-8860

Sunglasses   

We all enjoy spending time outside in the sunshine, but the UV rays from the sun can damage our eye health and vision over time. Everyone needs to wear quality sunglasses when spending time outside, even if no vision correction is needed. The friendly and experienced opticians at our offices will help you select the right pair (or two!) of sunglasses that accommodate your visual needs, taste, and budget.  

Sunglasses provide many important health benefits, but they can also be fun to wear! At Corinth Eye Clinic in Corinth, MS, and Weeden Eye Clinic in New Albany, MS, we offer an array of prescription and non-prescription sunglasses. Some of the sunglass brands we carry in our optical include Costa, Oakley, Kate Spade, and more!  

Benefits of wearing prescription sunglasses    

If you primarily rely on eyeglasses for vision correction, there are several benefits to wearing prescription sunglasses worth considering.   

Eye disease prevention  

Exposure to UV radiation can increase the risk of cataracts, photokeratitis, macular degeneration, melanoma, and pterygium. Quality prescription sunglasses protect your eyes from UV radiation and can significantly reduce your risk of eye health and vision problems caused by sunlight.   

Safety  

Sunglasses guard against harsh wind, dust, sand, and other airborne debris that irritate the eyes or could scratch the cornea. Prescription sunglasses also reduce glare and keep you safe when navigating situations that require full attention, such as driving or riding a bike.   

Less strain and fewer headaches  

Fifteen minutes in sunlight (a primary source of solar blue light) is equal to 10 hours of digital blue light, and exposure to blue light can cause eye strain and headaches. Quality prescription sunglasses should block 100 percent UV and solar blue light when outdoors.   

Improved dark adaptation  

Sunglasses increase visual clarity by blocking UV rays and reducing glare during the day. In addition to the daytime benefits of sunglasses, wearing high-quality polarized sunglasses can also help reduce night vision loss.  

A better, more comfortable outdoor experience, year-round    

No need to squint, wear non-prescription sunglasses, or avoid the sun completely! Enjoy the comfort, clarity, and protection that come from prescription sunglasses.  

FAQ about Sunglasses  

What are UV rays?

UV stands for ultraviolet, a band of spectrum invisible to the eye. Ultraviolet light consists of UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. UVC rays are stopped in Earth’s atmosphere before they reach the eye, but UVA and UVB can both reach the eye and potentially damage it. 

How does UV radiation affect unprotected eyes? 

UV rays can cause proteins inside the lens to become opaque or cloudy, a condition known as cataracts. Cataracts can interfere with night vision, reduce your ability to see colors, and make reading difficult; they cannot be reversed, only removed. UV exposure can also cause retinal damage, changes in the eye tissues, and a temporary but irritating “sunburn” of the cornea called photokeratitis. 

How do I know my glasses will protect my eyes? 

Choose glasses that claim to block at least 99 percent of UV rays—UVA as well as UVB. Look for a label reading “UV 400,” since this designation means that the glasses block UV rays as small as 400 nanometers, providing 100 percent eye protection. Of course, you need to protect your eyes from the glare caused by the visible spectrum as well. To accomplish this, select products that block 75 to 90 percent of visible light. 

What are polarized lenses? 

Polarized lenses are specially designed to filter out certain types of glare that tend to radiate upward from horizontal surfaces when sunlight bounces off of these surfaces. They are recommended for tasks such as boating, fishing, skiing, golfing, jogging, and driving. Most polarized lenses will bear a label identifying them as such. 

What types of glasses can I choose from? 

We are able to provide you with a wide range of sunglass options. If you normally wear glasses to correct your eyesight, you may be happy with a non-prescription pair of clip-on or wraparound glasses that simply fit over your lenses. If you’d rather not wear that much equipment on your head all at once, you can order a pair of prescription “shades,” or you can order glasses that darken when exposed to bright light. 

What additional types of protection should I consider?

If you worry about light, including harmful UV, leaking in through the sides or top of your sunglasses, wear a broad-brimmed hat to reduce some of this exposure. If you use prescription eyewear to correct your eyesight, you may also want to think about getting a pair of UV-blocking contact lenses in your prescription. These lenses may be worn alongside a non-prescription pair of sunglasses for optimum eye protection.