Most people assume dark sunglasses are protective sunglasses. They are not the same thing. The label that matters is UV400 — and it has nothing to do with how dark the lens looks.
What UV400 actually means
UV400 means the lens blocks 100% of light at wavelengths up to 400 nanometers. That includes both UVA and UVB — the two bands of ultraviolet radiation that reach the earth's surface.
In practice, it is the highest level of UV protection available in everyday eyewear. Anything less leaves part of the spectrum getting through.
Why dark lenses without UV400 are dangerous
A dark lens with no UV protection is worse than no sunglasses at all. The tint causes your pupils to dilate to compensate for the dimness. Wider pupils mean more UV entering the eye unfiltered.
Cheap fashion sunglasses are the worst offenders here. They look the part — the protection is not there.
What UV does to your eyes
Long-term, ultraviolet exposure is linked to cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium (a growth on the surface of the eye). Short-term, it can cause photokeratitis — sunburn of the cornea.
You feel it as gritty, watery eyes after a long day outside. The damage compounds over decades.
How to verify the protection
Look for "UV400" or "100% UV protection" on the label or product page. Real protection comes from a coating or material additive — not the tint of the glass.
Every DeLuxe lens — sunglass, polarized, or clear — carries full UV400. We treat it as the floor, not a feature.
Key Takeaways
- 01UV400 blocks 100% of UVA and UVB up to 400nm.
- 02Dark lenses without UV protection are worse than nothing.
- 03UV damage is cumulative — wear protection daily.
- 04Every DeLuxe lens is UV400. No exceptions.