Being proactive about our eye health is crucial to help us ward off eye diseases and maintain our vision. And one of the best things we can do for our everyday eye care is also one of the simplest.
Wearing quality sunglasses will help protect your eyes now – and in the future. While many of us slip on a pair to avoid the sun’s glare while walking or driving, both non-prescription and prescription sunglass lenses may also help prevent the onset of several eye issues.
At Ian Donald Optometrist, we care about providing expert optometry and eye health services for every customer. To help you understand why sunglasses matter, here’s our guide to sunglasses for everyday eye care.
“Quality sunglasses do more than reduce glare — they protect your eyes from cataracts, pterygium, and long-term UV damage.”
Our eyes are incredibly sensitive, particularly to sunlight. While there’s now quite a lot of awareness around skin protection in Australia, there’s less talk of eye protection… but it’s equally important.
The key danger for our eyes is UV light. Ultraviolet A (UVA) is a longer wavelength ray associated with skin ageing, while ultraviolet B (UVB) is responsible for skin burning.
To best protect your eyes, you need a pair of sunglasses that has 100% UVA and UVB protection embedded in the lenses. Sunglasses labelled UV 400 block all rays with wavelengths up to 400 nanometres.
Given a high number of skin cancers occur around the eyes, sunglasses may also help protect the skin in this area, especially if you choose large or wraparound frames.
Just as the sun can prematurely age your skin, it can ‘burn’ and damage your eyes, which may lead to a number of eye health conditions.
The most common is cataracts, which results in cloudy areas in the lens inside the eye. Cataracts often lead to blurred vision, difficulty seeing in dim light and increased glare sensitivity. Excessive or long-term exposure to UV rays may lead to cataracts and, research suggests, perhaps also to glaucoma, a serious eye disease resulting in sight loss. While cataracts may be detected and treated early, glaucoma develops slowly with minimal symptoms until quite advanced… which is why regular eye examinations are a must.
Another potential issue is pterygium, also known as surfer’s eye. It’s a growth on the eyeball, and while it’s usually not serious, it can be painful.
“Wraparound and oversized frames don’t just look good — they block harmful UV rays from every angle.”
Ultimately the best sunglasses for eye care are going to be the ones that suit you… and your eyes. Just as there is now a wide variety of glasses and contact lenses available for certain eye health issues, you now have a lot of choice in sunglasses.
Some of your options include:
Polarised lenses – help reduce reflected glare so great for the beach, boating, fishing and skiing. May also be suitable for light-sensitive people and post-cataract surgery patients.
Photochromic lenses – also called transition lenses, they adapt to changing light conditions and darken when exposed to sunlight.
Blue lenses – these protect your eyes from harmful blue light emitted by digital screens, LED lighting and the sun that contribute to eye strain, headaches and visual fatigue.
Ian Donald Optometrist has been looking after the Manly community for decades, and we love helping you keep your eyes in great shape.
Our team of optometrists and optical dispensers can provide you with prescription sunglasses and a range of frames from leading brands including Ray Ban, Tom Ford, Oakley and Maui Jim.
Or if you need an eye test or would like to discuss any of our specialist lenses, please contact us for an appointment.
Ian Donald had a vision.
He was going to become a dentist. It seemed like a good plan, until his careers adviser gave him a brochure on optometry. It opened up a whole new world. The eye intrigued him. It fascinated him. Optometry captivated him. And so his whole focus changed.
Ian went on to do work experience in the very office he owns today. While studying Optometry at the prestigious UNSW, he spent hours working in that same office, doing all the things no one else wanted to do. Filing. Filing. Filing.
Learning, learning, learning. It’s part of who he is.
Even today he is constantly training and retraining, studying and staying up to date with the latest technology in eye health.
So what else energises Ian?
‘Riding my bike, being part of the community, and helping people see. It gives me the best feeling possible. We take it for granted, because we do it all day, every day. It’s such a gift to be able to give people peace of mind.’ Read More
Wearing sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection helps shield your eyes from harmful rays that can cause cataracts, pterygium, and long-term eye damage.
According to Ian Donald Optometry, quality sunglasses reduce the risk of conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and abnormal eye growths caused by prolonged UV exposure
The sunglasses guide explains lens options such as polarised lenses (reduce glare), photochromic lenses (adjust to light changes), and blue-light filters (reduce digital eye strain).
Yes — larger or wraparound frames not only look stylish but also block more UV light from the sides, offering extra protection for your eyes and the skin around them.
You can order prescription sunglasses that provide clear vision correction along with full UV protection and other advanced lens features.
We have cared for Northern Beaches locals' eye health for over fifty years. Ian Donald Optometrists are here for you with the latest technology and an extensive range of frames from local and international designers.
Servicing Manly with high-quality eye care and an extensive range of boutique fashion eye wear brands.
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Servicing Balgowlah and surrounding areas with high-quality eye care and boutique fashion eyewear brands.
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Servicing Freshwater locals with professional eye care and an envious range of boutique fashion eyewear from local and international designers.
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Dee Why locals have been travelling south to Manly to visit our optometrists for decades. For specialist eye care and professional service.
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For generations, the locals of Brookvale have been turning to Ian Donald Optometrists to care for their vision.
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Our reputation for service, quality, and professionalism is why so many customers in Collaroy come to Ian Donald Optometrists for eye care.
Learn MoreShop 2, 37-39 The Corso,
Manly NSW 2095
Monday to Friday - 8.30am to 5.30pm
Saturday - 8.30am to 4.00pm
Ian Donald Optometrist is a private billing practice. Please contact reception for our consultation fee schedule. Medicare and private health insurance rebates apply.
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