Keep Your Eyes Safe from UV Rays in Summer

Rear view of a woman sitting on the beach and looking at the sea.

We’re in the middle of summer in New Zealand. With clear blue skies and strong sunlight, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors. However, this is also when UV radiation is at its strongest, so it’s important to protect your eyes just as you would your skin.

New Zealand experiences high UV levels due to the thinning ozone layer over the Southern Hemisphere. In recent years, hot days have become more frequent throughout the year, making UV protection a year-round necessity.

Caring for your eyes is just as important as caring for your skin. Many people already use sunglasses or hats for protection, but during this season, UV levels are especially high and time spent outdoors increases—making it the perfect moment to review your eye protection routine.

By pairing UV-cut contact lenses with your sunglasses, you can achieve even more effective protection. In this article, we’ll share key UV information and introduce some of the most popular UV-cut contact lenses recommended for keeping your eyes safe.

What is UV?

There are three types of ultraviolet (UV) light.

Ultraviolet A (UV-A): long-wave UV, not absorbed by the ozone layer, and associated with skin ageing (soft UV).
Ultraviolet B (UV-B): medium-wave UV, mostly absorbed by the ozone layer, and associated with skin burning (intermediate UV).
Ultraviolet C (UV-C): short-wave UV, completely absorbed by the ozone layer and atmosphere (hard UV).

How does UV harm our eyes?

Our eyes absorb sunlight in three parts: visible light, UVA rays and UVB rays. When your eyes absorb too much of any type of light, the chemicals in your eye tissue react. Over-exposure to UV light can damage your cornea, lens and retina. Three of the most common UV-related eye conditions are cataracts, pterygium (a growth of tissue on the surface of the eye) and photokeratitis (or corneal sunburn). Ophthalmologists warn that exposure to excessive UV light raises the risks of eye cancer and macular degeneration.

Reasons why UV-cut contact lenses are chosen

Unlike hats or sunglasses, contact lenses can protect your eyes naturally in any situation without affecting your appearance, and they provide clear vision. Because they are easy to use in daily life, simply wearing them every day becomes a convenient way to protect against UV rays.

In addition, UV rays that cannot be fully blocked by sunglasses alone can be effectively guarded against when combined with UV-cut contact lenses.

UV-cut contact lenses contain ultraviolet-absorbing agents within the lens material, allowing them to directly block UV rays before they reach your eyes.

Infographic showing UV rays entering through gaps between sunglasses and the face can still reach the eyes.

UV rays that enter through the gap between the sunglasses and your face are absorbed by your eyes.

Infographic showing UV rays entering through the gaps are blocked before reaching your eyes.

UV rays entering through the gaps are blocked before they are absorbed by your eyes.

Popular UV-cut contact lenses

Daily Contact Lenses

Qieto1day (30 Pack)

Exclusive to our group of companies, these lenses are comfortable, affordable, and very popular for everyday wear.
UV Protection: UV-A 84%, UV-B 98%
NZ$24.90

Qieto1day Rich (30 Pack)

Exclusive to our group of companies, these lenses are comfortable, affordable, made of silicone hydrogel with long-lasting moisture, and popular for everyday wear.
UV Protection: UV-A 84%, UV-B 96%
NZ$34.90

1 Day Acuvue Moist (30 Pack)

These daily lenses from Acuvue, a highly popular brand in the market, are comfortable, moisture-rich, and easy-to-handle.
UV Protection: UV-A 81%, UV-B 97%
NZ$39.90

Fortnightly

Qieto2week Rich (6 Pack)

Exclusive to our group of companies, these fortnightly lenses are made of affordable silicone hydrogel with long-lasting moisture, comfortable, and popular for everyday wear.
UV Protection: UV-A 84%, UV-B 96%
NZ$22.90

Acuvue Oasys (6 Pack)

These fortnightly lenses are highly popular in the market, made with silicone hydrogel and offering exceptional comfort.
UV Protection: UV-A 96%, UV-B 99%
NZ$42.90

Just like you protect your skin, taking care of your eyes from UV rays helps you enjoy a healthy, safe, and fun summer. By combining sunglasses with UV-cut contact lenses, you can spend more time outdoors with peace of mind, knowing your eyes are well protected while making the most of sunny days.

Browse our resources for expert advice on keeping your lenses and eyes in top condition.

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