We all know we should apply sunscreen to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays, but did you know your eyes can be damaged as well? Buying sunglasses is more than just a fashion statement; you need to make sure they protect your eyes properly. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause cataracts, benign growths on the eye’s surface, cancer of the eyelids and skin around the eyes, and photokeratitis, sometimes called “snow blindness,” which is a temporary but painful sunburn of the eye’s surface.
Sun damage to eyes can occur anytime during the year, not just in the summertime. Adults and children should wear sunglasses outdoors whether they are working, driving, participating in sports, taking a walk, running errands or doing anything in the sun. Sunglasses should be worn year round as the sun’s rays can pass through haze and thin clouds.
Here are some tips from the American Optometric Association for buying sunglasses:
- Don’t be misled by faulty UV claims. To make sure that UV labels are accurate, buy sunglasses where there is equipment available to check the lenses’ UV protection capabilities, or ask your optometrist for his or her opinion on a specific purchase.
- Check lenses to be sure the tint is uniform, not darker in one area than another. With gradient lenses, the tint should lighten gradually from top to bottom. Sunglass tints used for driving should be gray to allow proper traffic light recognition.
- Ensure that lenses are distortion-free. To do this, hold the glasses at arm’s length. Look through them at a straight line in the distance. Slowly move the lens across the line. If the straight edge distorts, sways, curves or moves, the lens has imperfections.
- To be sure the lenses block enough light, try them on in front of a mirror. If you can see your eyes easily through the lenses, they probably are not dark enough. Note: this test does not apply to photochromic (light-sensitive) lenses.
- At a minimum, look for sunglasses that:
- Block at least 99% of both UV-A and UV-B radiation
- Screen out 75% to 90% of visible light
- Allow for proper color recognition and are free of distortion and imperfection
- Certain contact lenses can provide additional UV protection; ask your optometrist for more information.
Polarized sunglasses are effective for combatting glare, but they do not offer any additional UV protection. Ideally, your sunglasses should wrap all the way around to your temples, so the sun’s rays can’t enter from the side.
Be sure to see your eye doctor at least every two years for a comprehensive eye examination. It is a good way to monitor your eye health, maintain good vision and keep current with new advances in eye protection. If you do not have a regular eye doctor, please click here to see a list of our eye doctors and learn more about our services at Harvard Vanguard.