The sun emits three kinds of ultraviolet radiation: UVA, UVB and UVC. While UVC is absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere, UVB radiation is only partially blocked and can burn the skin and eyes. UVA rays are not filtered and cause the most damage to vision health.
In addition to preventing sports-related eye injuries, protecting your eyes from the sun’s damaging UV rays while outdoors is also important. Even golfers and swimmers should find the proper eyewear to ensure that they are keeping their eyes safe while achieving their peak performance.
Q: Does the darkness of the lenses equate to higher UV protection?
A: No. Dark lenses without adequate UV protection can be worse than wearing no sunglasses at all because they cause the eye's pupil to dilate, which then increases retinal exposure to unfiltered UV.
Q: Do all sunglasses offer UVA/UVB protection?
A: No. Since shielding the eyes from damaging radiation is crucial, it is imperative to look for a label, sticker or tag indicating UV protection before purchasing a pair of sunglasses.
Q: When do UV rays affect the eyes?
A: UV radiation exists year-round, so despite the season or weather. So it is important to wear proper eye and skin protection while outside during daylight hours.
Q: What should be considered when purchasing a pair of sunglasses?
A: Protection, daily activities, comfort and personal style.
Two things you can do to maintain eye health is to develop the habit of wearing sunglasses whenever they are outdoors during daylight hours and to have an annual comprehensive eye exam with an eyecare provider.
However, eyecare providers can make recommendations regarding sunglasses tailored to an individual’s unique vision and lifestyle needs. Additionally, sunglasses are also considered a style accessory that can elevate any look and correspond with your varying activities.