Eye Protection Tips for Professional Photographers

Here's a closer look at some vision protection and management tips for professional photographers below:

Get glasses that fit correctly

Good eyesight is crucial for photography, so vision correction aids such as glasses are a necessity for many photographers. However, glasses can also make looking through the viewfinder difficult, and even glasses cords or holders can still get caught on your equipment while maneuvering around, which can sometimes lead to injuries or damage to your camera. Additionally, ill-fitting glasses are more likely to bump against the camera or fall off during a shoot.

To minimize discomfort when you shoot while wearing spectacles, look for eyeglasses that perfectly fit your face. When looking for glasses online, choose a retailer that allows you to filter your search for fit, including frame sizes, adjustable nose pads, and frames for lower nose bridges. The right fit can make taking photos with your glasses on much easier and also ensures that you aren't forced to pick between vision correction and comfort.

Choose the right lenses

Besides wearing properly fitted glasses, professional photographers should also choose the right lenses for them. Polarizers like the Hoya HD3 for your camera lenses are used to reduce haze and reflection and ensure increased saturation for better image quality, especially in nature photos. But while the same principle works for polarized lenses for glasses and sunglasses, such lenses might be more of a hindrance than a help. For instance, while polarized eyewear lenses can help reduce glare and discomfort, they also affect how you see color and contrast on your camera's EVF and LCD – which is crucial when framing high-quality photographs.

EDITOR NOTE: The rear screen of all digital cameras to date is an LCD which uses a polarizing layer internally. When looking at it through polarized glasses, the image will become very faint in either vertical or horizontal orientation, depending on the camera model, when the direction of the internal polarizing film is at 90° from the one on your eyewear.

Instead of opting for polarized glasses or sunglasses, go for glasses with specialized bifocal lenses to help you shoot better. These lenses correct distance vision during close work, allowing you to scout distant subjects better and analyze photos more efficiently without eye strain or discomfort.

Prioritize UV protection

Wearing eye protection while taking photos outside can help protect your vision from UV rays, which can cause photokeratitis or even cataracts in the long run. Sunglasses can prevent UV rays from penetrating your eyes, but you may have to take them on and off depending on how you're shooting.

If sunglasses aren't the right option for you, you can also try wearing a sun hats from brands like Einskey, which are lightweight and easy to pack, with wide brims that can protect your face and eyes from sun exposure during outdoor photo sessions. There's a wide variety of sun hat suitable for photographers, so make sure to find the hat that best fits your size, needs, and climate.

EDITOR NOTE Photographers still using a DSLR or SLR are still exposed to UV rays when looking through the optical viewfinder, unless a UV Filter is attached to the lens itself. Otherwise, UV filters on camera lenses are not required for digital photography.

Adjust your diopter accordingly

If you prefer not to wear glasses or sunglasses while taking photos, you can also adjust your camera's viewfinder to match your natural eyesight which reduces eye strain and headaches. This ensures that what you see through the viewfinder is clear, eliminating the hassle of wearing glasses that get in the way viewing the entire viewfinder and to better determine what is in focus. You can do this by locating the diopter adjustment control – usually a small circular dial – then looking through the viewfinder before half-pressing the shutter button to activate the data display within the viewfinder, and then adjusting the diopter control until the display in the viewfinder is sharp enough for you.

Ocular health and comfort are crucial for photographers, but managing your vision needs along with your equipment isn't always easy. To preserve and protect your vision, follow these practical tips the next time you head out to on your next shoot.