Okay, so you’re getting ready to go on vacation, you’ve packed the sunscreen to protect your skin, and you’ve already got your sunglasses on your head. However, have you considered how safe those sunglasses are? Do they protect your eyes?
As careful as you may be, you probably know that the sun can seriously damage your skin, and hopefully you’ll find that it can also multiply the risk of damage to your eyes – for example, an increased risk of developing cataracts in the long run. This may not worry you too much if you are younger (although it should), but there is also a short-term problem that is painful and can cause temporary loss of vision. Often associated with highly reflective snowfields or exposure to a solar eclipse, this condition is known as photokeratitis, which is basically a reversible sunburn of the cornea from UVB rays.
So what should you look for when buying your new sunglasses? Most people are now aware that they need UV protection, but just to explain it, UV radiation comes in at least two primary forms, UVA and UVB, both of which carry their own dangers. UVA rays can cause premature aging of the skin, while UVB rays can cause skin cancer. What you should be looking for is 99 to 100% protection against UV rays, regardless of the price of your glasses or the darkness of the lens or if they are cheap or more expensive designer sunglasses.
Do not go for very dark lenses that can distort colors, especially when driving. For better color perception, it is generally suggested that the lenses be natural brown, green, amber, or gray.
Taking care of your eyes by wearing the right sunglasses, whether they’re from a High Street store or designer sunglasses, can protect your eyes from potential damage. Don’t forget to make sure your kids have enough protection too, so don’t buy toy glasses!
Remember that even if you wear sunglasses with full UV protection, some light can still enter from the periphery or from the top if the glasses, especially if they are particularly small. Remember also that if you practice certain sports (for example, surfing, skiing, cycling or mountaineering, etc.) you will need more specialized glasses with additional properties.
Fortunately, there is a good variety of fashionable sunglasses that will protect your eyes readily available. They don’t need to be designer sunglasses, although these, as well as many lower-priced non-brand sunglasses, typically have full UV protection.