LA's 2025 Climate Means You Need Better Driving Sunglasses

Data from the LA County’s Department of Public Health reveals that both coastal and central Los Angeles have increasingly been experiencing extremely hot weather, with the entire area racking up more days over 95°F over the past few years. However, climate change means more than just rising temperatures. It also means more intense storms and, more importantly, longer periods of drought.

Combine these factors, and LA is especially vulnerable to wildfires — something that immediately made itself apparent in January 2025. As of writing, the fires across LA have burned through over 60 square miles and displaced locals in the tens of thousands.

These are issues you want to pay attention to if you often drive through the city. There’s now more evidence to suggest that climate change can impact eye health—and, in turn, how safely you can see and navigate LA’s roads. That makes driving sunglasses more crucial than ever before.

If you already have a pair, that’s a great start! But do they check all the boxes for protecting your eyes from LA’s 2025 climate? You might need better driving sunglasses. Here’s what to look for:

100% UV Protection 

UV levels have risen in the US over the past few decades, and studies confirm that’s directly increased the number of skin cancer cases in LA in less than 10 years. Overexposure to these more extreme levels of UV radiation can similarly damage your eyes by putting you at a higher risk of going blind from conditions like cataracts and even eye cancer. Unfortunately, dark-tinted sunglasses won’t protect you as you drive—they’ll simply dilate the pupils, let more sun in, and damage your eyes even further.

That means your sunglasses must be marked as providing 100% UV protection. The pair you have at home should have labels like “UV400” or “100% protection from UVA and UVB.” If it doesn’t, skip past the gas station and get new sunglasses from reputable brands guaranteed to provide the protection you need. Popular chain Walmart, for example, explicitly states that it only sells sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection in its physical and online stores.

Polarized Lens Filters

LA is the land of beaches, shiny cars, and glass buildings. Though they can be pretty to look at, they’re definitely not great for your eyes. Sunlight can bounce off all those reflective surfaces and quite literally blind you with glare. Though the resulting condition, photokeratitis, is temporary, it can be dangerous to get on the road—it can rob you of the precious few seconds you need to avoid accidents.

That’s why your driving sunglasses need polarized lens filters, which Eyebuydirect explains are specifically designed to block glare and protect your field of vision. The retailer also lets you add UV-blocking tints to any pair of polarized glasses it offers for a small fee. These can be tailored for activities like driving, so it should be easy to check this feature off your list. Just be sure you don’t already drive a car with a polarized windshield, like the Hyundai Tiburon — you might find it harder to see the road through two layers of polarization.

Bigger Frames 

LA is also known for having some of the worst air quality in the US due to the sheer amount of emissions that come from its cars, power plants, and refineries. When these emissions react to sunlight, they create “bad” ozone (this is different from “good” ozone, which is found higher up in the atmosphere and can block UV rays). Bad ozone can inflame and damage the cornea, something that can be exacerbated when particles from LA’s constant smog and wildfires come into contact with your eyes.

If you don’t drive with the windows up, you’ll want to wear driving sunglasses that protect more of the eye area from these pollutants. Sporty wraparound sunglasses can be particularly helpful, as their larger lens sizes often extend beyond the eyes and toward the temples. Zenni Optical’s Zunnies line, although designed for runners, can give you a good idea of what to look for, as they’re similarly designed to block dirt and debris from impacting the eyes. Wraparound frames also give you the additional benefit of protected peripheral vision, which can help you better see and respond to other road users while keeping your eyes safe from UV rays and glare.