Sunglasses: Just as Important as Sunscreen
When it comes to sun protection, the importance of sunglasses is often overlooked. Sure, you don’t want to squint all day, and a cool pair of shades are a fun summer accessory. But, you need the right kind of sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun’s dangerous ultraviolet rays.
Exposure to the sun’s UV light can cause:
- cataracts
- cancers of the eye (which can develop on the eye’s surface, the eyelids, in the skin cells around the eye or in the glands that produce tears)
- macular degeneration (the leading cause of vision loss among older adults)
Not all sunglasses provide UV protection.
Some fashion sunglasses simply don’t provide any UV protection. The lenses may look dark, which helps you see better in bright light and avoid squinting. But, that’s not proof that your eyes are protected from the sun. Look for sunglasses that provide 100% ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) protection. If it’s not printed on the lenses themselves, you can find this information on the price tag label.
If you regularly wear corrective eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses can enable the same clear vision while protecting your eyes from the sun. Another option is prescription transition lenses that automatically darken when you enter bright light. Clip-on shades with UVA and UVB protection may be less expensive than prescription sunglasses and can easily be applied as needed to most eyeglass frames.
Although prescription contact lenses offer some UV protection, you still need sunglasses to protect the entire ocular surface and your eyelid skin.
Look for full-coverage shades.
Trendy or not, your sunglasses should cover your entire eye area and wrap all the way around to your temples. This size and shape blocks the sun’s rays from entering on the sides and may reduce the symptoms of dry eyes triggered by the wind.
Polycarbonate lenses are a strong, shatterproof material that’s also thin and light.
What do polarized lenses do?
Polarized lenses help minimize glare, making images appear sharper and clearer. They may also increase your visual clarity and comfort. But, this feature on its own does not provide UV protection. Ensure that your polarized sunglasses also contain UVA and UVB protection.
The benefit of antireflective coatings
When wearing sunglasses, do you see a mirror-like reflection of your cheeks? Instead of seeing your eyes, do your friends see light reflected in your sunglasses? If this mirror effect bothers you, shop for antireflective (AR) sunglasses that block unwanted reflection in the lenses.
Does lens color matter?
The color, tint or shade of the lenses doesn’t indicate or affect the level of UVA or UVB protection, as long as your sunglasses provide 100% coverage.
But, the lens color or tint can affect what your eyes perceive. A brown tint to your lenses improves contrast and depth perception. A gray tint does not distort other colors.
Experts in Eye Cancer Care
Ocular oncology experts at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center work to treat eye and ocular cancers from all sides: ocular oncology, medical oncology, dermatology, radiation oncology and pathology. These UHealth providers offer a variety of treatments for eye cancers, ranging from localized plaque radiation therapy to topical chemotherapy. Based on the dimension of the tumor, this cancer treatment enables patients to avoid the surgical removal of the eye ¾ preserving their vision, independence and quality of life.
Updated in 2024 by Dana Kantrowitz, a contributing writer for UHealth’s news service. Medically reviewed by Maura Di Nicola, M.D., who specializes in ocular oncology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, part of the University of Miami Health System.
To schedule an appointment with a Sylvester eye cancer specialist, call 1-844-324-HOPE (4673) or request an appointment online.
Originally published on: August 08, 2019
Tags: Bascom Palmer, cancers of the eye, Dr. Maura Di Nicola, eye cancer, Eye Care, eye glasses, sunglasses
