The importance of protecting your eyes from the sun
When the summer sun arrives, most of us like to spend extra time outside soaking up the rays. While there’s a lot of awareness that ultraviolet (UV) light can damage the skin, it’s also important to remember that our eyes need protection too. Here, we outline what UV rays can do to our eyes and how to protect them.
What impact does UV light have on my eyes?
There are seven types of light, only one of which is visible to our eyes. Ultraviolet light has a shorter wavelength than visible light, meaning it penetrates the tissues of the eye more easily. Without protection, exposure to UV rays can cause a range of eye problems.
Cataracts are a common issue linked to sun exposure. Presenting as a cloudy area of an eye’s lens, they can be caused by the alteration of lens proteins as a result of UV light. Cataracts can get worse over time, obscuring vision.
Some studies have indicated that prolonged sun exposure without protection increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The macular is part of the light-sensitive retina in the back of the eye and controls sharp, straight-ahead vision. Degeneration causes blurring in the central vision and can become severe over time.
While there is no proven link between UV exposure and most ocular cancers, there is a link between UV light and some cancers of the eyelid. This makes adequate protection important.
How do I protect my eyes from the sun?
The most obvious way to protect your eyes from the sun is to wear sunglasses. Sunglasses work by blocking and/or reflecting harmful UV rays away from the eyes so wearing them, even on cloudier days, will provide essential protection. For the greatest benefit, choose frames that fit well and block light from around the lenses. It’s also important to check that the sunglasses you select offer 99-100% UV protection, as not all do. If there is no label or sticker stating there is UV protection, it’s best to assume there isn’t any.
Does lens colour matter?
When it comes to the colour of your lens, sunglasses do not offer different amounts of UV protection with different colours. Whether you choose blue, green, grey, brown or yellow lenses, the UV-blocking coating is colourless and the tint will not affect its efficacy.
When choosing the colour of your lens, you may want to consider your activities. Green, for example, is favoured by golfers as it helps to provide contrast by filtering out some blue light. Grey is good for driving and fishing, as it helps to reduce glare, while yellow is useful on cloudy days and provides excellent depth perception.
Finding the perfect eye protection
Whether you’re looking for optical sunglasses or a non-prescription pair to wear with your contact lenses, we at The Eye Establishment have a wide range of frames and lens colours to choose from. Our sunglasses offer comprehensive UV protection and are made by some of the world’s most prestigious manufacturers. Whatever prescription sunglasses brand you prefer, our experts will ensure the fit is correct and the colour suits your skin tone.