THE MYTH ABOUT SUNGLASSES: DO THEY BLOCK "HEALTHY" LIGHT?

THE MYTH ABOUT SUNGLASSES: DO THEY BLOCK "HEALTHY" LIGHT?


By Dr. Shamil

Introduction

Every so often, someone will tell you that wearing sunglasses is “bad for you” because they block the light your body needs for well-being. The idea sounds persuasive: after all, don’t we rely on sunlight for circadian rhythms, mood, and vitamin D?

But here’s the truth: that argument is nonsense.

What the Body Really Needs from Light

It is true that our bodies depend on natural light. Sunlight helps regulate our circadian rhythm — the internal clock that governs sleep, wakefulness, and hormones. It also triggers vitamin D production in the skin.

But sunglasses don’t stop any of that.

• Plenty of light gets through. Sunglasses filter glare and block harmful UV radiation, but they don’t create darkness. You are still exposed to visible light, which is what your circadian system responds to.

• Circadian rhythms are safe. Wearing sunglasses outdoors during the day doesn’t confuse your brain or shift your internal clock. Disruptions to circadian rhythm come from lack of daylight exposure — for example, staying indoors too much, or flooding your evenings with artificial blue light.

• Vitamin D comes from skin, not eyes. Melanin and vitamin D synthesis happen in the skin, and sunglasses do nothing to block that. If anything, sunscreen has more impact on vitamin D than sunglasses do.


The Real Danger: UV Exposure

While the myth is harmless, the real danger is ignoring sunglasses altogether. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is invisible but damaging. Over time, it can lead to:

• Premature aging and skin cancer on the delicate skin around your eyes (the thinnest on your body).

• Cataracts — clouding of the natural lens inside your eye.

• Macular degeneration — damage to the retina that threatens central vision.

• Photokeratitis — essentially a sunburn of the cornea, painful but preventable.

• Pterygium — a growth on the eye linked to chronic UV exposure.

Sunglasses are not just an accessory; they are the only real “sunscreen” for your eyes.


Choosing the Right Pair

To protect yourself, look for sunglasses labeled “100% UV protection” or “UV400.” The tint, darkness, or price tag doesn’t guarantee protection — a $10 pair from the drugstore can be just as effective as a $300 designer pair.

Polarized lenses reduce glare, wraparounds block light from the sides, and larger frames give better coverage. But the number one rule is simple: UV protection first, everything else second.


The Takeaway

Sunglasses don’t block the healthy benefits of light — they block the harmful ones. Your body still gets the daylight it needs for mood, sleep, and energy, while your eyes and skin are shielded from long-term damage.

So next time someone claims sunglasses are “bad for you,” just smile, slip on your shades, and remind them: there is no better skincare for your eyes than a good pair of sunglasses.



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