How Sunglasses Can Help Keep Your Eyes Healthy

Sunglasses can be very stylish, attractive fashion accessories, but they are also important for maintaining the best eye health possible. Proper sun protection can prevent damage to the eyes and the skin around the eyes. Eye conditions that have been linked to sun exposure include cataracts, macular degeneration, skin cancer on the eyelid, and pterygium. While wearing sunglasses may not be able to entirely prevent these conditions, it can reduce the risk of developing them or developing them at a young age.
 

What Makes a Good Pair of Sunglasses?

Not all sunglasses are created the same. With the many different styles, colors, and tints of sunglasses, it is important to recognize what attributes make a pair of sunglasses a good fit for providing appropriate eye protection.

Firstly, the sunglasses should fit properly to the face and cover the eyes and the entire area around the eyes. Extra large sunglasses are acceptable too as long as the sunglasses still fit the face and sit on the nose properly and do not leave areas exposed to the sun.

Colored sunglasses are considered to be a fashion item, and the best colors for eye protection are brown and dark grey. These colors block the most UV radiation and protect the eyes the best. In addition to choosing a brown or grey tint, the tint should be dark enough to block at least 60% of light for all-around use.

The darker the tint, the more light will be blocked – the darkest tinted sunglasses can block up to 90% of light for the sunniest of environments.

Polarization is an additional benefit that many sunglasses provide that helps to provide the best vision even with a high amount of light blocked by the lenses. This can also reduce the amount of glare and reflections in bright conditions.
 

When to Wear Sunglasses

To protect the eyes, sunglasses should be worn any time that you will be outside for prolonged periods of time. This includes activities such as outdoor sports, swimming, and even mowing the yard. If you plan to need sunscreen for your skin, you should also plan for protection for your eyes. Since sunglasses are easily removed, it is recommended that they are worn any time there is a highly sunny day that will have significant UV exposure – even for a short period of time.
 

Why UV Light Causes Eye Problems

Sunlight contains high amounts of ultraviolet (UV) light radiation. This type of light can cause damage to the body by causing cells to mutate or change their DNA composition. In the eyes, this mutation can lead to cancer of the skin such as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. It can also cause the crystalline lens to become clouded with a cataract or the cornea to develop new growths such as a pinguecula or pterygium. In the retina, repeated damage from UV light can weaken the membrane behind the retina and increase susceptibility for macular degeneration and other retinal changes. 

Our eye doctor at The Optical Centre in Longmont, CO excels in the prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrist at 303-772-6650 or schedule an eye exam appointment online if you would like to learn more about sunglasses. Our eye doctor, Dr. Erica Whitmire provides the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in Longmont, Colorado, and its surrounding areas.