Vision Awareness & Sunglasses

When discussing vision health, sunglasses need to be one of the main topics of conversation. Did you know that your eyes can get sunburnt? Well, they can!! Sunglasses are to the eyes what sunscreen is to the skin - PROTECTION! But which sunglasses to choose? Do you buy the ultra-cool ones, the funny-shapes, cool colors, or the vintage ones you found at the antique shop last weekend?

It is also worth noting that those with lighter colored eyes, blue, green, even hazel, have a higher sensitivity to light. They tend to lean toward grey lenses because they block out more visible light, whereas those with brown eyes lean toward amber colored lenses because they don't have to take their glasses off as frequently.

Most sunglasses have some type of UV protection, whether embedded in the lenses or coated on them. Most reputable brands list UV protection on the label. You want to look for a label that says either "100% protection against both UVA and UVB" or "100% protection against UV 400."

If you have a pair that you love and you aren't sure of the UV protection, you can take them to your local optical shop and have them tested in a photometer! Most places will test them for free.

You don't have to spend a ton of money on them either. But you do need to be aware:

• Dark sunglasses that don't block harmful rays may keep you from squinting, but when you wear them in bright light, the pupil actually opens WIDER, allowing more light and harmful rays into your eyes than if you weren't wearing any sunglasses at all. The additional exposure can put you at higher risk for cataracts, macular degeneration, and even development of ocular melanoma—a rare cancer.
• Polarization, lens tint, and mirror coating have nothing to do with UV protection. Always make sure the sunglasses you choose provide the above-mentioned protection. So those cool aviator sunglasses that you are eyeing might not be so effective at protecting your peepers! Polarization or mirroring reduces glare coming off reflective surfaces like water and pavement. This can make driving or being on the water safer and more enjoyable - just ensure that they have proper UV protection as well.
• If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you should probably consider wearing wrap-around sunglasses. These not only protect your eyes from rays coming in from the sides, but also from wind, which causes dry eyes.

The most important thing, of course, is to wear your sunglasses whenever you are in the sun - no matter the time of year - and that includes kids too! Whether it is cloudy outside or sunny and beautiful, sunglasses are an essential shield to protect your vision health year-round.