A great number of scientific studies show that spending long hours in the sun without eye protection can not only damage your eyes but also contribute to cataracts, macular degeneration, and cancer. That’s the reason why ophthalmologists recommend wearing 99% and above UV-absorbent sunglasses if you’re in the sun for long periods of time.
Sunglasses are a must for outdoors
Sunglasses can be worn whenever you are outdoors but they are a must under these circumstances:
- During the summer
- At the beach or in the water; as the glare is too harmful
- At high altitudes
- While using medications that can cause photosentivity
Shopping for Sunglasses; what to look for actually
IT SHOULD BLOCK 99% OF ULTRAVIOLET RAYS:
Always buy sunglasses with this feature. Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes eye disease. UVB radiations are more dangerous to the eyes than UVA radiation. Go for sunglasses that block 99% or 100% of all UV light.
GROUND AND POLISHED:
You must make sure that the lenses you buy are properly made. To judge the quality of nonprescription sunglasses, eye something with a rectangular pattern, such as floor tile.
Hold your glasses at a comfortable distance and cover one eye. Slowly move the glasses from side to side and up and down. If the lines stay straight, the lenses are fine. If the lines waggle, especially in the center of the lens, go for another one.
IMPACT RESISTANT:
The sunglasses you go for must meet the impact standards set by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety.
POLARIZED:
Polarized lenses help to cut the reflected glare. These are in particular good for driving and fishing.
PHOTOCHROMIC:
A photochromic glass lens automatically darkens in bright light and becomes lighter in low light. Although these lenses are good UV-absorbent sunglasses, but it takes time for them to adjust to different light conditions.
WRAPAROUND STYLE:
Wraparound glasses are good as they protect your eyes from all angles, which other frames are usually not able to do.
GRADIENT LENSES:
Gradient lenses are a must have. However, what kind of depends on you and your surroundings.
Single-gradient lenses, which are dark on top and lighter on the bottom, help in cutting glare from the sky. It also enables us to see clearly below. These are useful for driving purpose but not good for areas like beach or snow.
Double-gradient lenses (dark on top and bottom and lighter in the middle) are assumed to be better for sports especially, for sports such as sailing or skiing.
MIRROR-COATED:
Mirror finishes are thin layers of various metallic coatings on an ordinary lens. However, they don’t protect you fully against UV radiations.
People at greater risk for UV-related eye damage
Studies reveal that some people with certain eye diseases such as macular degeneration and retinal dystrophy are at greater risk for UV-related sun damage. As a precaution, they should always wear absorbent sunglasses whenever they go outside.
Contact lens wearers; sunglasses for you too
Contact lenses are types too; one that can protect your eyes from UV lights and the other, which can’t. If you do not have contact lenses that can absorb UV light, you certainly need sunglasses to do so.
Sunglasses won’t protect in every situation
Arc welding, tanning lights, snowfields, or gazing directly at the sun, especially during a solar eclipse, for example, can severely damage your eyes. Even sunglasses can’t help you under these conditions. For general outdoor activities, proper sunglasses are key to protecting your eyes from sun-related damage. The best sunglasses offer 100% UV absorption, are of the best optical quality, and are impact resistant.
Source: nbc30
Image Credit: vision3k,framesdirect,artshole and fabsugar
