Published: May 31, 2024
Shopping for New Shades? Tips to Protect Your Eyes this Summer
Sunlight reflecting off sand or water increases exposure to Ultraviolent (UV) radiation and raises your risk of developing eye problems. Some sunglasses help protect your eyes, so here’s what you need to know.
- Choose sunglasses with a UV400 rating or “100% UV protection” on the label. Those that block more than 99% of UVA and UVB radiation provide the most protection.
- Do not mistake dark-tinted sunglasses as having UV protection. The darkness of the lens does not indicate its ability to shield your eyes from UV rays. Even light-colored tints of green, amber, red, and gray can offer the same UV protection as very dark lenses.
- Check to see if your tinted glasses have UV protection - an eye care professional can help. With tinted glasses, your pupils dilate and can increase the exposure of your retinas to UV light. Without UV protection, you put yourself at risk of the harmful effects of solar radiation.
- Children should wear sunglasses that indicate the UV protection level. Toy sunglasses with popular characters look cute but may not have UV protection.
- Consider large, wrap-around-style frames, which may provide more UV protection because they cover the entire eye socket.
- Expensive doesn’t equal best protection. The cost of sunglasses doesn’t ensure greater UV protection.
- Even with UV-absorbing contact lenses, wear quality sunglasses that offer UV protection.
Even if you wear sunglasses, wear a wide-brim hat and sunscreen to further protect you from sun exposure.
Reference: Food & Drug Administration.