Written by Margaret Kontras Sutton, M.D.
Being the wife of an ophthalmologist isn’t always easy. I can never go outside without a reminder about protecting my eyes by wearing my sunglasses. But I guess that my husband and I are even because I always remind him to protect his skin and wear his sunscreen. Anyway I thought I would pass along some important points about UV protection of the eyes.
All of us (including children) should own a good pair of sunglasses. How do we define “good?” Is it the Oakley or the Maui Jim label? Not necessarily. I would define “good” as the ability to protect from ultraviolet radiation (UV). This would be indicated by the words “blocks 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays” or “absorbs up to 400 nm of UV radiation.”
Why is this important? We now know that UV radiation can contribute to the development of cataracts, macular degeneration, and of course skin cancers around the eyes.
Don’t be fooled by the darkness of the lenses. The color of the lenses only affects the glasses ability to block visible light, not necessarily the UV. So choose the color of the glasses based on your own personal preference. Obviously the darker the lenses, the more visible light is blocked.
Contact lens with UV protection are a step in the right direction, but are not enough because they do not protect the entire eye, nor do they protect the eyelids and surrounding skin.
Polarized lenses may be helpful in situations where glare is a problem, such as water activities, skiing, or driving – but they don’t add to UV protection.
Other helpful tips: choose a style which has wider sides or are wrap-around, as these offer more coverage; and closer fitting styles will prevent UV from sneaking around the sides of your frames.
OK, now I have a “good” pair of sunglasses. If I could only remember what I did with them.
