Top Gun’s Maverick, North by Northwest’s Roger Thornhill, Breakfast at Tiffany’s Holly Golightly—each of those character’s seemingly self-assured quality was amplified when they donned sunglasses. They oozed “cool.”
Sunnies are more than a fashion accessory. A well-made pair provides needed eye protection. People often take precautions to protect their skin from the negative effects of the sun, but we also need to shield our eyes. When we are in the sun, we are exposed to two types of ultraviolet (UV) rays—UVA and UVB. Both can penetrate and change our skin and eye cell structure, putting us at risk for skin cancer and eye diseases that can lead to permanent vision loss.
Cataracts, a cloudiness of the lens in the eye, is most commonly caused by aging but UVB will accelerate cataract formation. Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration, a disease that affects a person’s central vision, also is increased with exposure to high levels of sun exposure.
A good pair of sunglasses can also help to avoid photokeratitis (often a temporary condition), damage to the cornea, and photoconjunctivitis, damage to the thin layer of tissue covering the eye.
“Photokeratitis is a painful eye condition caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, most commonly from the sun. You can compare photokeratitis to sunburn, but it’s a burn that affects parts of your eye instead of your skin. It’s generally bilateral (affects both eyes),” according to the Cleveland Clinic. “Exposure to UV rays can cause damage to both the cornea and conjunctiva of your eye. In addition to the sunlight or reflected sunlight, other sources of UV rays include welding arcs, tanning equipment, and lights used for medicine.”
Well-made shades with larger frames can provide another health benefit. In a Mayo Clinic article entitled, “Why sunglasses are a must-wear,” Dr. Dawn Marie Davis, a dermatologist at the clinic, notes that the skin around the eye is some of the thinnest skin on the body and is more susceptible to damage. Sunglasses help to prevent skin cancer around the eyes, Dr. Davis states.
Young eyes need protection too
Sunglasses may be even more important for your children’s eyes. Another Mayo Clinic article states, “Mayo Clinic Health System providers say children receive more annual sun exposure than adults. This increased exposure to sunlight increases risk of eye damage from ultraviolet (UV) light — an invisible electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun. Unlike adult eyes, children’s eyes are still maturing and cannot filter out the harmful UV rays as effectively. ‘Children’s eyelids and skin around the eye are delicate and more vulnerable than adult skin,’ says Nitika Arora, M.B.B.S., Mayo Clinic Health System glaucoma specialist in ophthalmology in La Crosse.”
Choosing effective sunglasses
Before you run out and get a pair of cool new sunglasses, use the guidelines provided by the American Academy of Ophthalmology; of which I’ve summarized the key points.
- Don’t settle for less than 100% UV protection. Only sunglasses with 100% UV protection provide the safety you need.
- Darker sunglasses do not always provide 100% UV protection. Don’t be fooled into thinking that the darker the lenses, the more protected your eyes will be.
- Polarized lenses reduce glare, but don’t block UV rays. Polarization itself does not provide UV protection. Polarized lenses can be made with a UV-blocking substance. Check the label of polarized sunglasses to make sure they provide maximum UV protection.
- Check lens quality when shopping. You can check that the lenses of nonprescription sunglasses are made properly by following these steps:
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- Look at something with a rectangular pattern, like a tiled floor.
- Hold the glasses at a comfortable distance from your face and cover one eye.
- Move the glasses slowly from side to side, then up and down, looking through the lenses.
- If the rectangular lines stay straight, the lenses are fine. If the lines are wavy or wiggle (especially in the center of the lens), try another pair.
- Bigger sunglass lenses are better. Consider oversized or wraparound styles.
- Lens color doesn’t matter for UV protection.
- Think of impact protection when buying sunglasses. In the United States, all sunglasses must meet Food and Drug Administration (FDA) impact safety standards. While no lens is truly unbreakable, plastic lenses are less likely than glass lenses to shatter.
- Price is not related to protection.
Not a part of the guidelines, but a suggestion from yours truly: In addition to the above criteria, find shades that make you feel good.
Jack Nicholson was once quoted as saying, “With sunglasses on, I’m Jack Nicholson. Without them, I’m fat and 60.”
Contributing writer Denise Lum is a Health and Fitness Coach raising her family in Alameda. Contact her via [email protected] or FitnessByDsign.com. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Denise-Lum.
