Do I Need To Wear Sunglasses?

websitebuilder • October 21, 2019

Do I Need To Wear Sunglasses?

Sunglasses have become quite a fashion statement, and people spend hundreds of dollars for prescription and non-prescription lenses. For many, they are necessary to make driving easier, or tolerate bright sunny days. Others just like the way they look with sunglasses, and still others enjoy sporting designer labels that make them feel good. But, do sunglasses serve a medical purpose?

Every day we are exposed to sunlight, and with it the potentially damaging effects of Ultra-Violet (UV) light rays – UVB, which is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer, and UVA, more associated with the progressive aging of the skin. There is a direct relationship between your exposure to UV light and the development of certain eye conditions, most importantly cataracts and macular degeneration (AMD). Cataracts are the age-related, and expected clouding of the focusing lens inside your eye, gradually dimming your vision as the cloudiness increases. This usually begins in your 50s or 60s, but will occur earlier and progress more rapidly the more your eyes are exposed to the sun. Macular degeneration affects the retina, which is the light sensitive sheet of nerve tissue that lines the inner back of the eye, and involves the build-up of certain substances in the retina that are toxic. This gradually steals central vision, and unlike cataracts, cannot be readily reversed with surgery.

Any eyeglasses that block UVA and UVB, clear OR tinted, can protect your eyes and reduce the risk of cataracts and AMD, as well as certain types of skin cancers that can affect the eyelids. Polarized lenses reduce glare, but the UV block, not polarization or the darkness of the lenses, is what is critical for protecting your eyes. An Optician can determine whether your current eyeglasses have a UV protective coating if you are unsure. So, since you can’t completely avoid the sun, put on some protection when you go outdoors! And eat your fruits and vegetables – the pigments in these richly colored foods help to protect you from cataracts and AMD as well!

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