Contact Lenses and UV Protection

Many, but not all, contact lenses have UV protection built-in (we generally point out the ones that do on the AC Lens web-site).  UV protection is very important because failure to protect the eyes from the harmful effects of the sun causes cataracts as well as various ocular malignancies.  Apparently, while most people are aware of the potential damage of sunlight to the skin, only about 10% of the public realizes the potential damage to the eyes.  What is, perhaps, even less well known, is that contacts alone are not adequate to provide full protection from sunlight, because contacts only cover a portion of the surface of the eye.  So everyone, even people who wear contacts with UV protection, should invest in a pair of sunglasses.