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I have noticed that most sunglasses leave quite a bit of gap on the side and only cover the "front" of the eyes. Does this give adequate UV protection, or are these types of sunglasses mostly "fashion accessories", and if you want real protection you have to wear wrap-arounds?

You can see what I mean in this imageenter image description here

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    Notice how the guy in the picture is still squinting even with his designer shades on?
    – ShemSeger
    May 25, 2015 at 2:33

2 Answers 2

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Those types of glasses do not provide adequate protection from sunlight, especially in areas with lots of reflective surfaces (desert, snow) and at high elevations where there's more UV radiation due to the thinner atmosphere above you.

What you want are either wrap-around glasses which don't let light in the sides, or particular glasses called "glacier glasses". Glacier glasses have a fabric/leather/plastic shield on the side which prevents light from coming in.

Glacier glasses example

Your eyes will dilate slightly to allow more light in when you're wearing dark glasses, which compounds the issue - because your pupils are open wider, the potential for UV damage from light coming in the sides at full brightness is increased. You should always wear full wrap-around or glacier glasses when you're outdoors in areas with intense light and reflected surfaces, and especially at high elevations.

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  • I suppose this means that most sunglasses (e.g. aviators and such) are basically useless for sun protection compared to wrap-around types? May 25, 2015 at 14:24
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    @user1049697 most "stylish" sunglasses are not appropriate for mountaineering, skiing, and similar such activities. However if you're at lower elevations in areas that aren't snowy/sandy/otherwise reflective, they're probably ok.
    – nhinkle
    May 25, 2015 at 15:42
  • When I've looked around for places to buy glacier glasses, they were extremely expensive. A much cheaper solution is to buy removable side-shields. I use a product called EyeMate, which sells on amazon for $7. It's basically sold for industrial use, e.g., for welders.
    – user2169
    Jun 27, 2015 at 20:16
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The best thing to do is to try on the glasses in a store. Take your time and look around with your eyes to see how much is covered. You can also determine if the nose bridge or other part of the frame is in the way of your line of sight. I never buy glasses online unless I am buying a model I have owned before. Cycling eyewear is a very good option because most brands are well-made and impact resistant. Another option is to use the glasses in the photo and to wear a baseball cap. But, you still won't be covered on the sides.

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