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ZEISS UVProtect

Like sunblock for your eyes – in all clear plastic lenses.
  • A young woman wearing glasses with ZEISS UVProtect technology and light rays coming from the upper right corner shining on her face.
  • Concerned about your eye health?
  • Don’t always have your sunglasses with you?
  • Want UV protection built into your clear lenses?
Look no further. ZEISS UVProtect technology absorbs potentially harmful UV rays up to 400 nm before they can reach your eyes. Clear lenses with UV protection from ZEISS protect your eyes as effectively as premium sunglasses for those times when you don‘t have your sunglasses.

Sunglass-level UV protection – it’s on us.

Lenses with UV protection up to 400 nm – that’s the standard recommended by the World Health Organization. That’s sunglass-level protection. That’s what you’ll get in your clear ZEISS lenses – thanks to our scientists challenging what once seemed impossible.

More about UV protection and the ZEISS 400 nm standard
More about UV protection and the ZEISS 400 nm standard
The light spectrum with indication of the UV-C, UV-B, and UV-A sections

What is ultraviolet (UV) light?

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation lies between X-rays and visible light along the electromagnetic spectrum. It  spans a range of wavelengths between 100 and 400  nanometers and is divided into three bands:​

  • UVA: 315–400 nm​
  • UVB: 280–315 nm​
  • UVC: 100–280 nm

Why 400 nm?

While UV rays with shorter wavelengths may have higher energy levels, most of these rays are blocked by the ozone layer. Approximately 40% of solar UV  irradiance that reaches the earth lies in the UVA range between 380 and 400 nm. To fully protect your eyes against the potentially harmful effects of UV, your lenses should block rays up to 400 nm.

Illustration of the eye and a lens without UV protection, transmitting UVA and UVB light rays in the eye.
Illustration of the eye and a lens with UV protection, blocking UVA and UVB light rays.

Challenging the status quo.

Many clear lenses only marginally block UV – so some potentially harmful rays might still reach your eyes. That’s because, once upon a time, it wasn’t possible to produce clear glasses with UV protection up to 400  nm without compromising the clarity and look of the lens too much. Driven by a passion for prevention and the preservation of healthy eyes, we decided to shake things up and challenge what once seemed impossible.

The result:
ZEISS UVProtect technology.

Since 2018 – All plastic ZEISS lenses provide your eyes with sunglass-level UV protection.
All day. Every day. At no extra cost.

380 or 400 nm? It makes a difference.

Not-so-fun fact: Many clear plastic lenses that claim to provide full UV protection only protect up to 380 nm, meaning some harmful rays might still reach your eyes. Whether you’re looking for sunglasses or clear glasses with UV protection for everyday wear, be sure to check the fine print. Never settle for less than the 400  nm standard.  

Learn why UV protection is crucial for your eyes.
Learn why UV protection is crucial for your eyes.

Protect your health and your looks.​

UV rays pose one of the biggest risks to long-term eye health. Because of their high energy, they can cause acute and chronic damage to the cellular tissue of the skin and eyes.

Did you know your eyes can get sunburned? Excessive UV exposure can cause sunburn of the cornea, known as photokeratitis.
Image showing photokeratitis.
It may also lead to serious eye diseases like macular degeneration and cataracts – the cause of blindness in 48%1 of cases worldwide.
Image showing cataracts.
With UV rays causing wrinkles, thickening of the skin and up to 10% of skin cancers occurring on the eyelids2, it’s just as important to protect the delicate area around your eyes.
Image showing photoaging around the eyes.
A pink kid’s frame with ZEISS UVProtect lenses on a little girl’s face.

Don’t forget the little ones.

Young eyes have more transparent crystalline lenses, which let more UV rays through than adult eyes. Early sun damage can cause problems later in life. Also standard in our lenses for children, ZEISS UVProtect shields kids’ eyes from the sun’s harmful rays when they’re active outdoors.

Come rain or shine – UV is always there.

You probably remember sunblock and sunglasses on bright, hot days –  but what about when it’s overcast? Either way UV rays are always there. With UV exposure of up to 75% on cloudy days, your eyes still need protection.  

Breathe easy when you’re wearing your ZEISS glasses with UV protection – no matter the weather.

The same woman wearing clear lenses – seen through a normal camera and a UV camera lens. With a UV camera the lens looks black – indicating that it doesn’t let UV pass through the lens.
The same woman wearing clear lenses – seen through a normal camera and a UV camera lens. With a UV camera the lens looks black – indicating that it doesn’t let UV pass through the lens.

Like sunglasses in disguise.

A UV camera shows what that means: Clear plastic lenses from ZEISS with UVProtect technology appear as dark as sunglasses because UV rays are completely blocked by the lens.

Let’s recap.

Don’t stop now.

Explore more ingredients to make your lenses unique.

Your ZEISS lenses will have sunglass-level UV protection – but there’s so much more to choose from. Let’s help you find glasses that are perfect for you.

Your eyes

Whether high, low, or no prescription, everyone’s eyes need UV protection. That’s why we made it our standard. With ZEISS, you’re covered.

Your lifestyle

UV protection is great for everyone – especially those who love the outdoors. Let’s help you find the right lens type that suits you best – for optics tailored to your lifestyle.

Your face & frame

ZEISS UVProtect is a material technology that protects your eyes – but we have other technologies to fine tune your vision to your chosen frame and your unique face.

Eye protection

UVProtect technology is built into all clear plastic lenses by ZEISS. Why not also add blue light protection if you’re always on screens? For prescription shades or self-tinting lenses are available with UVProtect technology in many great colors.

Thickness & weight

The material index impacts how thin and light your lenses are. Luckily, all ZEISS plastic lens indices come with UVProtect – because protection is as important as comfort.

Durability & care

In addition to ZEISS UVProtect, all ZEISS DuraVision coatings reduce UV reflections from the backs of your lenses. Supercharge your lenses with additional features of your choice.

Any questions?

  • Many claim to have it – but it’s all about the nanometers. ZEISS clear plastic lenses provide UV protection up to 400  nm. That’s the same amount of protection provided by premium sunglasses and the standard recommended by the World Health Organization.  

  • UV rays can pose a major risk to long-term eye health. Its high energy may cause acute and chronic damage to the cellular tissue of the skin and eyes. Excessive UV exposure may cause your eyes to get sunburned – a condition called photokeratitis. It may also cause serious diseases like macular degeneration and cataracts – a frequent cause of blindness. Thankfully, ZEISS UVProtect in all ZEISS clear plastic lenses provides sunglass-level UV protection for your eyes.

  • Your eye doctor may be able to help you figure this out. State-of-the-art tools like the ZEISS VISULENS® 550 effectively measure the levels of UV protection in your lenses.
  • 1

    Cook BE Jr, Bartley GB. Treatment options and future prospects for the management of eyelid malignancies: an evidence-based update. Ophthalmology2001 Nov; 108(11):2088-98. - Abraham J, Jabaley M, Hoopes JE. Basal cell carcinoma of the medial canthal region. Am J Surg 1973; Oct; 126(4):492-5
  • 2

    Global data on visual impairment in the year 2002. Resnikoff S, Pascolini D, Etya‘ale D, Kocur I, Pararajasegaram R, Pokharel GP, Mariotti SP Bull World Health Organ. 2004 Nov; 82(11):844-51