UV Eye Safety

The sun is at its highest point of the year, making for longer, hotter days for us all to enjoy. This also means more exposure to UV rays which are three times more powerful than in the winter months. Luckily, thanks to years of public education campaigns since sunscreen was first introduced to the American market in the late 1960’s, many beachgoers and sun-lovers are now wearing SPF lotions to protect their skin from these dangerous rays. However, skin-protection is not enough, and people need to be aware of how important it is to protect their eyes as well.

UV rays are responsible for a bevy of sun-related medical eye issues: Photokeratitis (sunburn to the cornea), snow blindness, cataracts, macular degeneration and even eye cancer. Needless to say, consumers should be making their purchasing decisions based on the UV protection the sunglasses offer – not on fashion. However, sunglasses have become an iconic fashion accessory, symbolizing coolness in American pop culture. They come in different styles and can be seen, day and night, on bad-boy actors, fashionistas, and rap stars. Shades can make the common man look suave, but more importantly, they are intended to prevent eye damage. So here’s the big question: are people wearing the right kind of sunglasses, for the right reasons? According to the June 2010 issue of Prevention, the majority of consumers are basing their sunglass purchases on style and price, rather than on the level of UV protection. In addition, many choose darker shades thinking that they will offer better protection. Contrarily, dark lenses without the proper UV protection can be even more harmful than lighter lenses because they cause pupils to dilate and let in more light. Lenses, no matter what shade they are, get their UV protection from adding a chemical to the lens material, or applying a chemical coating to the surface of the lens. Without these special chemicals, they are basically useless – no matter how dark they are.

So what are the right kind of sunglasses to wear? When purchasing, consumers should look for sunglasses with a sticker promising at least 99% UV-A and UV-B protection. They should also choose large specs, such as the celebrity-style shades that have become popular in recent years (i.e., Paris Hilton, the Olsen Twins). When looking for the right size lens make sure the sunglasses span the brow and cheek bones and have wide temple arms (part that rests over ears and wraps side of head). These broad arms will protect from stray rays that can enter from the sides of glasses. Glasses that fit close to the face will also help deter stray light. Lastly, don’t evaluate the effectiveness of the sunglasses on price. Many lower priced sunglasses provide the same protection as expensive ones (just follow the above criteria when evaluating). Remember, with high priced sunglasses you may be paying for the label (designer name), style and frame quality, but none of this equates to protective UV ray blocking ability.