Too much UV exposure can harm your eyes over time by creating scar tissue and causing early cataract formation, eye cancer, and accelerated macular degeneration. Fortunately, your strongest defense is easy: a well-made pair of sunglasses.
Benefits of Wearing Sunglasses
- They can protect your eyes against the sun’s damaging UV rays
- They allow you to see more comfortably, without having to squint
- They can make it easier to adapt to darker settings
Tips on Picking the Right Sunglasses
- Don’t compromise on UV blocking! It’s important to make sure that your sunglasses block out 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays and screen 75 to 90 percent of visible light.
- Consider the shape — The best shape for sunglasses is any style that offers extra coverage, such as wraparound or oversized frames.
- Consider sunglasses with polarized lenses or anti-reflective coating, which reduce glare.
- Mirror-coated lenses are beneficial for activities in very bright conditions.
- Gradient lenses are tinted from the top down and are good for driving, as they block overhead sunlight but allow you to see your dashboard clearly.
- Multifocal sunglasses can be made with progressive lenses, bifocals or trifocals. These are great for aging eyes.
- Polycarbonate lenses are significantly more impact-resistant than lenses made of glass or other materials and are lightweight.
- Photochromic sunglasses are an excellent choice if you already wear corrective lenses. They block 100 percent of the sun’s UV rays and darken automatically in sunlight. This can eliminate the need for a separate pair of prescription sunglasses.
Be sure to ask your eye care professional about the best sunglasses for you!
Sources
- https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=167712
- https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2019/sunglasses-eye-protection.html
- https://www.allaboutvision.com/faq/sunglasses.htm
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