Aware of the harm the sun's rays can cause our skin; most of
us liberally apply sunscreen for sun protection before heading outside. But
what about protecting our
vision?
It turns out, our eyes are vulnerable to the same harmful effects of
ultraviolet, or UV, radiation and susceptible to sunburn and cancer.
The importance of choosing safe sunglasses is often
forgotten in the dizzying array of fun and fashion that surrounds sunglasses
designs. Designer frames, celebrity trends, and silly fads often influence our
purchases, and we forget the importance of sun protection. But it's essential
to think of
safe
sunglasses as sunscreen for your eyes."UV radiation can lead to
several dangerous eye conditions," says Jeffrey L. Weaver, OD, MBA, MS,
executive director of the American Board of Optometry and adjunct professor at
the University of Missouri College of Optometry in St. Louis. "Ultraviolet
radiation can cause benign growths on the eye's surface, cataracts, cancer of
the eyelids and skin around the eyes, and photokeratitis, or snow blindness,
which is painful sunburn of the eye's surface."
The GREAT news is that, armed with the right
information, you will be able to look cool and stylish and still protect your
vision and overall eye health. Here
are five signs that your sunglasses might not be up to par and tips on how to
make sure you are wearing a pair of safe sunglasses with optimal sun
protection:
1.
No UVA/UVB labeling. Sunglasses must block
99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation. This information will be on the
label. If it isn't, the sunglasses probably do not block out sufficient UV
radiation to protect your eyes and vision. If possible, buy your sunglasses
from a store that offers equipment that can verify the UV transmittance (or
absorption) of the lenses, to ensure you are buying safe sunglasses.
2.
Mottled tint. To provide optimal sunglasses
safety, the tint must be uniform - the lenses shouldn't be darker in one area
than another. If you are looking at gradient lenses, the tint should be darkest
at the top and lighten gradually toward the bottom. "Gray tint is the best
choice to maintain your color perception," Dr. Weaver says. This can be
particularly important for recognizing traffic signals.
3.
Lenses that distort your vision. To avoid
lenses that distort images, hold the sunglasses in front of you at arm's
length. Choose a
straight line in the distance, such as a
table edge or door frame, and move the sunglasses slowly along the line. The
straight edge you are looking at
should not break, sway, curve, or move. If it does, the lenses have
imperfections, which can
4.
Not blocking enough visible light. When you
look in the mirror while wearing a new pair of sunglasses, you should not be
able to see your eyes. If you can, the sunglasses may not be blocking enough
visible light. You want your sunglasses to block 75 to 90 percent of visible
light, including "blue light" - the blue and violet portion of the
solar spectrum. Studies have implicated long-term exposure to blue light as a
risk factor for developing macular degeneration. "Basically," Weaver
says, "the darker the sunglasses, the more visible light you are
blocking."
5.
Flimsy lenses. Lens material should be
durable."The preferred material for anyone using sunglasses in active
situations - pretty much anything other than sunbathing - is polycarbonate, a
tough, lightweight plastic," Weaver says. Polycarbonate lenses are impact
resistant, which lessens the chances of the glasses breaking and causing injury
to your eyes or your vision.
One last thing: Certain contact lenses absorb UV rays and
have proven to be very beneficial in protecting the eyes. However, Weaver
cautions that "a pair of safe sunglasses is still necessary to obtain full
sun protection for your eyes and to protect your vision and overall eye
health."
Enjoy our beautiful sun this holiday weekend!!
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