I wear my sunglasses (all year)
With summer (sadly) coming to an end you may be thinking it’s time to pack away those cute sunnies until next year. But just because we’re headed into drearier weather doesn’t mean you don’t need to be protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays. While cloudy skies do reduce UV rays, they do not completely block them, putting us at risk of UV damage even in the depths of winter.
Excessive UV exposure can have both sight threatening and potentially life threatening consequences, making it vital to start wearing sunglasses at a young age. Some of the possible damage caused by UV exposure includes:
Cataracts: While most people will eventually develop age-related cataracts, excessive UV exposure can cause cataracts to progress at an earlier age. Cataracts cause a blurring of vision, trouble seeing at night, and the need for more light when reading. When cataracts become dense enough they are surgically removed to restore clear vision.
Eye cancer: There are various different types of ocular cancers, with the most common being ocular melanoma. Ocular melanoma is asymptomatic in early stages, and can be detected at a routine exam. It can be treated with radiation or removal of the eye.
Pinguecula and Pterygium: These are fleshy growths on the white of the eye that can grow across the cornea. They can be unsightly and cause dry, irritated eyes. They are managed with lubricating drops or surgical removal if they grow too large.
Wrinkles: Squinting when in the sun and damaging UV rays can lead to wrinkles around the eyes. UV rays cause damaging free radicals, which damage the elastin in the skin, causing it to loosen and wrinkle. Squinting further deepens these wrinkles and causes crows feet.
When shopping for sunglasses, it is important to consider more than just how they look. A good quality pair of sunglasses is worth the investment, and will not only look good but provide the UV protection one needs. However, it is important to note that a good quality pair of sunglasses doesn’t have to be expensive. Some things to consider when shopping for sunglasses are:
Look for sunglasses labelled as 100% UV blocking. If you’re not sure about this, your optometrist will be able to make recommendations for both prescription and non-prescription options.
Choose a bigger frame. Full coverage frames will block more rays from reaching your eyes and the delicate surrounding skin.
How dark the lenses are and the colour of the lenses doesn’t matter. There are many tint options available, all of which offer 100% UV blocking. Different coloured lenses will provide better contrast in different situations. Your optometrist will be able to direct you towards the option that will work best for your lifestyle.
Polarized lenses don’t block more UV rays, but they do reduce glare. Reducing glare can make activities on the water and driving more comfortable on the eyes.
If you’re in the market for a cool new pair of sunnies, or have any question about sunglasses options stop by the office and we would be happy to help!
If you’re interested in learning more about UV and your eyes check out this link: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/sun
