DO SUNGLASSES ACTUALLY PROTECT YOUR EYES?

  

DO SUNGLASSES ACTUALLY PROTECT YOUR EYES?

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From aviators to cat-eyes, there are plenty of sunglasses styles to go around. And while the right pair can help you make a fashion statement, are sunglasses actually good for your eyes?

Simply: Yes. Sunglasses protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and glare from the sun. They can also protect the sensitive skin around your eyes from skin cancer and wrinkles.

But beyond fashion, finding the right sunglasses is important, as they don’t all offer the same protection. Having said that, price point of the sunglasses is not usually a determining factor in their efficacy to block UV rays.  Plenty of studies have shown that an inexpensive pair of sunglasses from a drug store offers the same level of protection against UV rays as a designer brand. 

Wearing sunglasses is important as research studies suggest that high-energy UV rays from the sun can harm your vision later in life. Excessive UV exposure may damage your macula, the area in the back of your eye that helps transmit pictures to your brain. The risk is greatest if your eyes are light-colored.

How do sunglasses work?

The lenses that typically come in sunglasses are made with UV protection. Some may have lenses that are coated in UV protection. That UV protection works to block or reflect harmful UVA and UVB light — the two common types of rays in sunlight.

So, how do you know if your sunglasses have UV protection? Look for a label on sunglasses that says it protects 100% against both UVA and UVB rays. As mentioned earlier, cheaper sunglasses are often equally effective in blocking the harmful rays of the sun, but they many not offer the same clarity of vision as a more expensive brand.  So, if you are prone to losing things, and it is easy to lose sunglasses, then consider buying an inexpensive pair so that the replacement will become easier, especially if you lose them as often as you lose umbrellas. 

Benefits of wearing sunglasses

While we tend to reach for a pair of sunglasses during the summer months to protect against UVB rays, we really should be wearing sunglasses year-round, even on a cloudy day, to protect against UVA rays.  There are approximately 500 times more UVA rays in sunlight than UVB rays and they can penetrate clouds, and also reach below the water's surface. Generally, ordinary glass such as the glass windows in your home or car can filter out UVB rays but not UVA sun rays. Furthermore, the UVA rays penetrate more deeply into the skin and play a greater role in premature skin aging changes including wrinkle formation (photoaging). For all these reasons, it is imperative to wear sunglasses all year round when out and about during daylight. 

Along with blocking UVA and UVB light, sunglasses can offer other benefits: 

1. Prevent headaches and migraines caused by direct sunlight.
2. Reduce eye strain.
3. Reduce glare.
4. Offer protection from wind, dust and debris.
5. Help prevent eye diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration.
6. Help prevent skin cancer and wrinkles from around your eyes.
7. How to pick the right sunglasses for you

So, how do you find the right sunglasses for you? 

Once you find a style that fits your fabulous personality,  choose sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB light. You don’t have to pay a premium — UV protection is available in all price ranges. Choose the highest-level UVA/UVB protection you can find. And remember, sunglasses will say what level of UVA and UVB protection they offer on the sticker or printed right on the tag.

Note the color of the lenses. Go for amber or brown lenses if you have macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy. These colors enhance contrast, which can help you see better. Select brown, gray, green or yellow lenses for driving. They’re best for minimizing color distortion. But a high UV rating is more important than lens color if you have to choose.

You might wish to consider buying transition or photochromic lenses if you wear prescription eyeglasses. Prescription eyeglasses — particularly those with polycarbonate lenses — provide some built-in UV protection. Lenses that automatically darken when you go outdoors protect against both UV rays and glare.

Consider polarized lenses with UV protection.  They’re best for reducing glare, which can be helpful while driving. This is especially important if you’ve had refractive eye surgery, such as LASIK.

Children as young as 6 months old should be encouraged to wear sunglasses. The Vision Council of America reminds us that the damage from UVA and UVB radiation is cumulative over a person’s lifetime, so it’s a good idea to teach your children how important it is to wear sunglasses from an early age so that it becomes ingrained in their daily routine and appearance.

Optometrists can also help you choose the right sunglasses for you.

Concluding Remarks

Once you buy sunglasses, remember to wear them regularly — most definitely on your nose and NOT on your head while you are out and about.

Sunglasses are one of those indispensable items offering better protection for your eyes than skin care cream alone.   Just remember, a little bit of extra daily protection will prove worthwhile in the long run.

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