Final answer:
Personal eyeglasses offer some protection against UV rays but are not as effective as protective eyewear that are designed to cover the full eye area.
Step-by-step explanation:
Personal eyeglasses provide some degree of protection to the eyes but not as much as specialized protective eyewear. For instance, ordinary eyeglasses made from plastic lenses provide more UV protection than glass lenses, with materials such as polycarbonate blocking most UV rays. However, when compared to full coverage eye protection specifically designed for shielding the eyes against ultraviolet radiation and other hazards, personal eyeglasses fall short, since they do not prevent light from reaching the eyes from the sides. Safe filters like welders' goggles, and specially designed eclipse glasses should be used for direct solar observation to prevent permanent eye damage.