The best sunglasses for the beach do two things: block 100% of UVA and UVB rays, and use polarized lenses to cut the harsh glare bouncing off water and sand. Everything else — color, style, brand — is personal preference. Here on the Grand Strand, that combination is less of a luxury and more of a necessity.
Sunlight damages your eyes the same way it damages your skin, and the effects add up over a lifetime. Too much UV exposure raises your risk of cataracts, growths on the eye like pterygium (sometimes called “surfer’s eye”), and even certain cancers of the eyelid. A ten-dollar gas-station pair with no real UV rating is essentially a tiny, fashionable umbrella that does nothing useful.
When you shop, look for lenses labeled 100% UV protection or UV400. Darkness of the lens does not equal protection — a dark lens with no UV coating can actually be worse, because it makes your pupils open wider and lets in more harmful light.
Polarized lenses filter out the blinding horizontal glare that reflects off water, wet sand, and car hoods. The result is sharper contrast, truer color, and far less squinting. If you fish, boat, or golf, the difference is dramatic.
Our optical boutique stocks premium sun lenses from Maui Jim, Costa, Oakley, and more — brands built for exactly the sun, water, and glare we get here. Our licensed opticians can match the right lens and fit to how you actually spend your time outdoors.
For anyone spending time near water or driving in bright sun, yes. The reduction in glare genuinely improves comfort and visual clarity.
No — that is a common myth. UV protection comes from a coating, not the tint. Always check for a 100% UV or UV400 label regardless of how dark the lens looks.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Jason Siegmund, OD, a board-certified optometric physician at Siegmund Eye Care in Myrtle Beach.
© 2026 Siegmund Eye Care • Web Design by Three Ring Focus • Privacy / Terms / Employment