Sunglasses and UV Rays

By Jean Weeks, Optical Manager

Maryland Eye Associates

. http://marylandeyeassociates.com

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Sunglasses and UV Rays

The public is aware that ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause injury to the skin. Less known is the fact that the same ultraviolet rays can cause eye problems. Ultraviolet radiation (UV) consists of invisible rays from the sun. There are three types of UV radiation, UVA, UVB and UVC.

UVA rays tan the skin, but also contribute to the aging of skin. UVB rays are the ones that burn the skin and can damage the eyes the most. UVC rays are absorbed in the atmosphere and do not reach the earth. UV radiation is greater in the spring, summer and fall, but winter UV radiation can still cause damage. Ultraviolet rays are most intense between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Everyone is at risk for ultraviolet damage, including children. Encourage your children to wear sunglasses and sunscreen. Children's eyes let in more UV rays than adults. Protecting your children's eyes with impact resistant (polycarbonate) sun lenses provide UV protection and glare reduction.

Other people at risk for UV eye damage are

Construction workers

Police officers

Contact lens wearers

Individuals taking certain medications

Watermen

Farmers

Commuters experiencing high glare conditions The UV light from the sun may cause

Cataracts

Melanoma

Age-related Macular Degeneration

Wrinkles around the eyes

Most people think they are only at risk when outside on sunny days. UV light can go through clouds, leaving you susceptible to UV damage on cloudy days.

Light colored eyes may need stronger eye protection, because they have less pigmentation and are more susceptible to UV damage. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat can reduce the amount of overhead UV exposure.

UV blocker in eyeglasses has no tint or color. Lightly tinted lenses can block up to 100% UV. Darker lenses provide greater comfort, depending on the light sensitivity of the wearer. UV protection is clear and independent of both color and color density.

The sun can affect your eyes without you feeling it. Even if the sunlight does not bother your eyes, you should put your sunglasses on as soon as you go outdoors during the day.

Sunglass lens color is a personal preference. Some change your perception of color, contrast and brightness and some do not. A neutral color gray will darken nicely, and will not change our color perceptions. Brown is also a popular color, because it does not distort color.

The most important feature in a sunglass lens is how much UV radiation it absorbs. You want 100% for maximum protection with good optical quality.

Another important consideration when buying sunglasses is how well they fit. Larger size lenses and glasses that fit snugly, will help reduce damaging UV rays that can filter in around the edges. Inexpensive sunglasses can have enough lens distortion to cause eye fatigue and headaches.

To protect your eyes, look for sunglasses that have the best protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Expensive sunglasses most often have excellent UV protection. Less expensive ones can range from poor to excellent. The best quality sunglasses will be marked either “UV 400” or “100% UV protection.”

If you have concerns about the amount of UV protection in your glasses, most optical shops have a UV meter to measure the transmittance of dangerous ultraviolet light.