By Michelle Burford
We all know that slathering on sunscreen lotion is a must during the scorching summer season, but did you realize that ultraviolet rays are just as damaging to your eyes as they are to your skin? Yet according to a survey conducted by the American Optometric Association (AOA), only 49 percent of Americans said UV protection was the most important factor when purchasing sunglasses -- while price and style of sunglasses were top considerations. Research shows that exposure to small amounts of UV radiation over several years can cause cumulative damage to the retina -- and that damage may lead to cataracts and macular degeneration in later years. In fact, macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in our nation, according to the AOA. We spoke with Andrea Thau, O.D., spokesperson for the AOA for tips on protecting your eyes and choosing the best sunglasses.
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By Michelle Burford
Sun Sensitivity
Do you have fair skin and light eyes? If so, the sun poses an even greater risk to your eyes. "The fairer you are and the lighter your eye color, the more sensitive you are to sun the sun's harmful UV rays," says Dr. Thau. "People with darker skin might be less susceptible, but they still shouldn't take the risk of not protecting their eyes."
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Size Matters
When it comes to the size of the lens, bigger really is better, says Dr. Thau. "A large lens protects more areas of your eyes -- like the skin around the eyelids, which is very thin, delicate, and susceptible to skin cancer." Another bonus of super-size glasses? "They prevent wrinkles, too" she says.
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Pricier Isn't Better
Good glasses aren't measurable by price tag. What makes a pair solid is that it shields your eyes from both visible light and ultraviolet radiation -- and the latter trumps all other considerations. "Look for 99 or 100 percent UVA and UVB protection," says Dr. Thau. But beware that some flea-market finds might promise protection they don't actually offer. "If the sunglasses aren't labeled," she says, "have them tested at the place where you're purchasing them or take them to an optometrist."
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Tint Considerations
The AOA recommends buying sunglasses that have a uniform tint (instead of darker in one area than another). And if she had to choose one color lens over all others, Dr. Thau would opt for gray. "Gray renders colors the most natural and doesn't distort them," she says, which is an important consideration when driving.
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Do Transitions Make the Cut?
In recent years, transitional lenses -- those that automatically adjust their level of tint to changing light conditions -- have been a trendy option for sunglasses wearers. But do they stand up to our experts' strict standards? They usually offer excellent UV protection, says Dr. Thau. "The only drawback to these lenses is that they don't get dark behind the windshield of a car; since most windshields block out the light that is needed to make the lens react -- that makes them less effective."
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Dark Lens Danger
Dark lenses are ideal, but choose them carefully. They should be dark enough that your eyes can't be seen through them, but should have UV protection. Dr. Thau cautions that dark lenses without UV protection may actually cause more harm to your eyes than if you were wearing no glasses at all. Why? "A dark lens that doesn't block UV radiation makes your pupils dilate and opens the eye to radiation exposure," she says. When you don't wear sunglasses, the pupil naturally constricts to limit UV radiation.
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Sun-Proof Your Contacts
While it may seem that wearing a lens atop your cornea would shield your eyes, Dr. Thau warns that contacts can make your eyes more sensitive to light, so sunglasses should be a top priority for contact-wearers. "High-quality sunglasses give you a two-for-one special: They block the debris that can get underneath the lens, and they protect against UV rays." In addition to wearing sunglasses vigilantly, Dr. Thau suggests that lens wearers purchase brands with built-in UV protection. "Although the lens doesn't completely cover your eyeball and lid, it extends past the cornea into the white of the eyes -- so it does shield the eye from sunlight."
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Seek Cover in Clouds
Just as you're still at risk for sunburn on a cloudy day, you don't have to see the sun in order for it to harm your eyes. Even on overcast days, you need a lens to shield you from UV rays so Dr. Thau suggests investing in two pairs of glasses -- one with dark lenses for bright sun and another with a lighter lens for overcast days -- both with UV protection.
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Kids Need Glasses, Too
Though it's never too late to protect your eyesight, an early start does the most good. "Studies show that the majority of damage occurs in childhood and you pay the price later in life," says Dr. Thau. Though high-quality sunglasses for children can be a tad pricey, she advises that parents consider it an investment in their kids' long-term eye health. "Choose lenses that are made from polycarbonate -- it's a safe material that provides excellent impact protection."
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AjaFullmn 02:57:14 PM Jul 21 2009
I have always been cautious with my eyes because my hubby only has vision in one but the interesting part about my post is this....I went to school with a boy that had bright yellow eyes and then one of his kids had bright yellow eyes also. I have never seen that before or since. And I mean bright yellow, not hazel or anything else.
Cingisbleeving 02:55:37 PM Jul 21 2009
Here's something the doctor failed to tell me when I went in for laser eye surgery to correct my vision. The people that have fair skin and light colored eyes are more likely to have a problem with starburst vision afterward. I had the procedure done about 14 years ago. The info came out a few years later. The doctor that did my eye procedure was experienced in it and had done thousands. He now has an office in Beverly Hills and does all the stars eyes. I wish I had known about the starburst effect BEFORE having the surgery as I have a difficult time driving at night and it is getting worse. I also lost a lot of my near vision. Sure I didn't have to wear glasses all the time to see things far, but close up vision was greatly affected and I have to wear glasses all the time to read now. It's kind of screwed up. I wish that I could get him to fix my eyesight as it is slowly degenerating to where I can't see things far OR near.
SusanneG903 02:01:57 PM Jul 21 2009
Well, I am here to say that I am a victim of ignorance. I JUST had to got to the eye doctor yesterday because of eye problems....blurry vision in my right eye. I didn't reveal to the doctor about the many years (22 to be exact) of laying in a tannig bed because until I saw this article I never knew that UV rays could have done this. While tanning, I would check the minutes left on the tanning bed timer by opening just my right eye to look up at the timer. I never dreamed that that could do as much damage to that eye as it has. I am here to say to all tanners, those little eye goggles are to be worn for a reason and I never thought I would be a victim to retinal damage due to not wearing them.
Regis98 01:43:29 PM Jul 21 2009
I'm sure people thought findings about sun exposure being dangerous to skin was crazy, yet we now know them to be true. The same is probably a reaction to this article. UV rays are not good for your skin, and probably the same is true for the eyes. Those with fairer skin tend to be more sensitive than those with darker skin. It is not far fetched to assume the same could be true for lighter eye colors. And as the earth's shield from the ozone and UV rays weakens, as it has compared to the past, this will probably be even more of a need to be proactive. I think its just ridiculous how people get so hyped up about something like whether or not you should avoid direct contact with the sun and use sunglasses, and jump to some conspiracy theory in the medical field. If there is an increase in macular degeneration and they can pinpoint ways to help keep that from continuing to rise, then be glad its coming out and be proactive. Your vision is not something to mess around with.
terminallromance 01:32:54 PM Jul 21 2009
so many people commenting on this article are retarded
Dizzarazy 12:50:49 PM Jul 21 2009
Actually DLang, the UV rays in Nordic regions ARE different from other parts of the world. In regions further south or north of the equator, the sun's rays do not hit at a direct angle so are much less intense. That's why it's more important to wear sunscreen if you're on a beach in the Caribbean than on one of your Nordic beaches.
DLang11956 12:35:26 PM Jul 21 2009
Many Nordic people have fair skin and blue / light eyes. The sun can have glaring effects when it reflexs off of snow. The UV rays are no different in nordic regions then any where else in the world, so why don't they suffer from this so call threat? It's gotten to where you can't trust what anyone tells you these days. The govenment lies, the media lies, corporations / manufacturers lies to sell their products. The world has become one huge source of Bull Shit.
DoublexKiss 12:31:18 PM Jul 21 2009
I have a condition called heterochromia. I have one completely blue eye and the other one is completely brown. I can see pretty clearly w/ both of them
ONEPHILLYPHIL 12:29:35 PM Jul 21 2009
i have macular degeneration......going blind is not something to take lightly.....
