Wearing sunglasses on a regular basis is critical for the health of your eyes. The lens of the eye turns out to be a pretty good absorber of UVA rays, but, unlike the skin, the lens cannot slough off damaged cells. That means there is no way for the lens to ever repair itself. Protecting the eyes isn’t just a cosmetic or a costume; it is about keeping your sight undiminished for as long as possible. Your eyes need protection from ultraviolet radiation, and whether you buy inexpensive or expensive sunglasses, it is a waste of money if they don’t supply it.
Eyes exposed to sunlight are at risk for cataracts, sunburn (the eyeball itself can get sunburned), irritation, skin cancer of the eyelid, and dry eyes. Fortunately, most sunglasses do protect us well from the sun, but there is no easy way to know which ones do and which ones don’t. Some sunglasses come with labels indicating they offer UV radiation protection, but there are no regulations or standards in this field. It doesn’t hurt to buy sunglasses with a UV protection label, but there are some things you need to check out to make sure you purchase a pair that does more than just look good.
I strongly recommend buying sunglasses that hug the face and have wide rims and side- pieces. This way, you shield the eyes from any sunlight coming in from above, below, or around the sides, as well as protect more of the delicate skin around the eyes from sun damage.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (www. aao. org/) offers a few extremely helpful guidelines for finding the best protection:
1. Select sunglasses that block ultraviolet rays. Don’t be deceived by color or cost. The ability to block UV light is not dependent on the darkness of the lens or the price tag. You should always buy sunglasses with this feature. Shop for sunglasses that block 99% or 100% of all UV light. Some manufacturers’ labels say “UV absorption up to 400nm.” This is the same thing as 100% UV absorption.
2. Ideally, your sunglasses should wrap all the way around to your temples, so the sun’s rays can’t enter from the side.
3. Even if you wear contacts with UV protection, remember your sunglasses.
4. Be sure that the lens tint is uniform, not darker in one area than another.
5. Another test to be sure the glasses are well made is to hold them out from you at arm’s length. Look through them from this distance at a straight line such as the edge of a bookcase or wall. Then slowly move the glasses across the straight line. If the straight edge distorts, sways, curves, or moves, the lenses have imperfections and you should not buy them.
6. Tinted sunglasses have an impact on what kind of sun exposure you get, aside from their impact on the face. Red – and yellow-tinted lenses can cut haze, but may not adequately protect from sun exposure, though if they had a UV coating they would work to protect against sun damage. Check them in daylight or consult an ophthalmologist. Gray, green, and brown tints are known for providing good viewing as well as good sun protection. Black and blue tints can be too dark, impairing good vision.