Selecting the Right Sunglasses
When it comes to picking out sunglasses, it can be easy to grab a trendy pair that suits your style. However, it’s important to remember that sunglasses do more than just make you look good – they also play a crucial role in protecting the long-term health of your eyes and vision.
Different types of sunglasses are designed for different uses, and knowing which type is best for you can help ensure that you get the most out of your eyewear. Whether you’re spending time outdoors or simply driving to work, the way you protect your eyes now can have a significant impact on your overall eye health later in life.
Importance of UV Protection
One, if not the most important, consideration when choosing sunglasses is finding a pair that offers protection from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. These damaging rays from the sun can cause serious long-term damage to your vision if your eyes are exposed to them for too long.
UV rays come in two types: UVA and UVB. Both can be harmful to your eyesight. UVA radiation has a longer wavelength that can penetrate deeper into the eyes causing damage to the retina, while UVB is mostly absorbed in the outer layers and can cause corneal sunburn and, in some cases, cataracts.
Regardless of whether UV light is natural or artificial, direct or reflected, too much unprotected exposure can lead to eye conditions, including eye growths, cancers, photokeratitis, and even macular degeneration. Much like skin, the lighter your eyes are, the more at risk you could be for these types of conditions. So, just think of UV-protective sunglasses as sunscreen for your eyes!
Other Considerations
- Lens Tint: You may think that the darker the lens tint, the more protection your sunglasses provide. But don’t be fooled by the color! While the tint of your sunglasses can affect how you perceive colors and can help with light sensitivity and glare reduction, it does not necessarily protect your eyes against damage. So don’t assume your dark shades are UV-protective.
- Polarization: Polarized sunglasses are also popular because of their ability to reduce the glare of light reflecting off surfaces, water, snow, and roads—making them a great choice for everyday activities. However, it’s important to note that polarized lenses don’t necessarily provide protection from UV light. Look for lenses that offer both.
- Size: It’s also important to remember that indirect UV exposure can have a negative effect on your eyesight as well. UV light that is reflected or diffused by clouds can reach your eyes from any direction, so combat it with a larger pair of shades. Bigger lenses, or even wraparound sunglasses, can make a huge difference in the amount of UV radiation that you are exposed to.
Picking the Perfect Pair
While inexpensive over-the-counter sunglasses may be fine for an afternoon by the pool, their lenses are more likely to be prone to scratches, discoloration, and many won’t have a UV coating. The trick when buying new sunglasses is to look at the label! Most brands will have an obvious label or sticker letting you know if the pair is UV-protective. You should look for those that offer 100% UV protection, guaranteeing they will block all UV light (UVA and UVB).
If you wear prescription glasses, you can get lenses that provide both vision correction and UV protection. There are even transitional lenses available, as well as clip-on or fit-over sunglass attachments, all of which can protect your vision.
Similarly, if you have an old pair of sunglasses and are curious to see if they are UV-protected, you can take them into an ophthalmologist’s office or an optical shop with a UV light meter available. It takes less than a minute to test, and most offices and shops will do it free of charge!
Prioritizing UV protection when choosing a pair of sunglasses can help protect you from harmful long-term effects and preserve your vision for years to come. So next time you’re in the market for a new pair of shades, be sure to think about these factors. Your eyes will thank you for it—and you’ll look cool doing so!
Talk to your doctor for more helpful information.
Alimera Sciences
6310 Town Square, Suite 400,
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(678) 990-5740