I enjoy a good pair of sunglasses. They’re stylish and the typically go with any outfit. However, the function of sunglasses goes beyond fashion, and it also keeps me from squinting by protecting my eyes against the sun’s glare. In fact, as the sun is largely responsible for premature aging, the right pair of sunglasses can serve as the first line of defense against eye aging.
How Does the Sun Affect Your Eyes?
There are different types of UV rays, with UV A and B rays being the most damaging to the skin and ocular surfaces. According to Execuspecs optometrist Yeshalya Hirachund, prolonged exposure to UV rays without protection can lead to several severe ocular conditions, which can eventually impair vision and impact overall eye health,
“It’s like how your skin ages from sun damage – your eyes can age too.”
Hirachund explains that the sun’s UV rays can damage the eye’s three main areas: the cornea, lens, and retina.
“Without necessary protection, prolonged UV exposure accelerates the oxidation of proteins within the lens of the eye, leading to cataract formation. This clouding of the lens obstructs light from reaching the retina, causing blurred vision.”
Hirachund adds that UV rays can also induce macular degeneration, which is one of the leading causes of blindness. With macular degeneration, the macula, the central part of the retina, deteriorates, severely impacting fine detail vision.
If that’s not enough, unregulated sun exposure may result in photokeratitis, an acute condition similar to sunburn, except it affects your eyes instead of your skin. Photokeratitis focuses on the cornea, causing pain, redness, and temporary vision loss.
Lastly, Hirachund reveals that repeated unprotected UV exposure also increases the risk of developing pterygium, a non-cancerous growth on the eye’s surface, which can obstruct vision.
Sunglasses: Anti-Aging Vision Protection
Now, while you can’t apply sunscreen to your eyes to mitigate sun damage, the good news is that sunglasses are well-equipped to protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays.
Hirachund explains that sunglasses act as a barrier, filtering out 100% of the harmful UVA and UVB rays before they can penetrate the eye’s surface,
“Wearing sunglasses regularly reduces the cumulative UV exposure to the eyes, offering an additional layer of protection and helping maintain long-term eye health.”
It should be noted that sunglasses aren’t just for sunny days as UV rays can still penetrate through clouds, which means your eyes are still at risk for sun damage,
“UV radiation can sometimes be higher on cloudy days due to internal reflection between Earth’s surface and the clouds, amplifying the effect and making sunglasses on overcast days just as crucial as when the sun is shining,” explains Hirachund.
Benefits of shades
1. Reduced sun sensitivity
Those with eye conditions may find themselves with heightened sensitivity to sunlight, which is why it’s advisable that they invest in a good pair of shades.
“People with cataracts often experience increased glare because the clouded lens disperses light, making bright environments uncomfortable,” says Hirachund.
“Similarly, macular degeneration leads to scattering of light on the retina, affecting central vision and making it harder to handle bright or direct light.”
Hirachund adds that certain medications, like antibiotics, can also cause light sensitivity. Individuals with albinism may also have a difficult time as melanin acts as a natural barrier for UV protection and these individuals have reduced pigmentation in their eyes. Hirachund also shares that this then results in heightened sensitivity to sunlight due to less natural UV protection.
2. Blue light protection
Blue light (HEVL) is a form of light that is emitted by the sun, but it’s also emitted from fluorescent and LED bulbs, as well as electronic display screens.
Hirachund reveals that blue light from the sun can contribute to eye strain, leading to discomfort, and glare, which makes it hard to see clearly, causing headaches and squinting.
“Sunglasses, especially those with polarized lenses, reduce glare and can filter some blue light, enhancing comfort and reducing strain on bright days, making your eyes feel more relaxed.”
That said, blue light doesn’t just affect your eyes. In fact, here’s what blue light is doing to your skin.
3. Tension headaches
Tension headaches are quite uncomfortable, and you may be surprised to learn that excessive sun exposure can lead to throbbing headaches. However, by wearing your shades, you can reduce glare, brightness, and eye strain, which can significantly reduce the chances of tension headaches and discomfort.
Picking The Right Shades
UV Protection
If you’re looking for the right pair of shades, Hirachund first recommendation is that you always opt for a pair labelled with “100% UVA/UVB protection” or “UV400.”
Polarized lenses
Hirachund reveals that you can also opt for polarized lenses. Polarization doesn’t directly affect UV protection, but it’s an added bonus as it’s great for reducing glare, especially from reflective surfaces like water, roads, and snow,
“They enhance comfort and visual clarity, making them ideal for activities like driving.”
Frankly, if you consider yourself a fitness fanatic, polarized sunglasses with 100% UV protection are a must.
Lens size
Hirachund also wants you to be aware of the lens size, as larger lenses or wrap-around styles block more light from entering in around the edges.
Darkened lens
You may think that the darker the lenses, the better the sunglasses, but that isn’t necessarily true.
“Darker lenses can cause the pupils to dilate because they reduce the amount of visible light entering the eyes,” says Hirachund, who further explains that when the pupils dilate, more light—including potentially harmful UV rays—can enter, especially if the lenses don’t offer adequate UV protection,
“Additionally, darker lenses can overstimulate the rods and cones in the retina by creating an artificial dim environment, which can lead to eye strain and weaken the vision over time.”
Therefore, it’s essential to look for sunglasses that explicitly state 100% UV protection, regardless of the lens darkness, as UV protection comes from a special coating on the lens, not from the tint.
The cost of perfect shades
So how much will the perfect pair of sunnies set you back?
“Surprisingly, the price of sunglasses doesn’t necessarily determine the quality of UV protection,” reveals Hirachund, who shares that even inexpensive sunglasses can provide 100% UVA and UVB protection.
However, she does mention that higher-end sunglasses may offer additional features like better lens durability, polarization, and clearer optics like less aberrations or distortions on the lenses, which enhances visual comfort.
Also, if you’re looking to buy yourself a pair of shades, make sure to include your dependents as well,
“Children’s eyes are more sensitive to UV radiation because the lenses within their eyes allow more UV rays to penetrate than adult eyes do,” explains Hirachund,
“Since they [children] spend so much time outdoors, it’s vital to get them used to wearing sunglasses early to protect their vision for the long term.”
Can we all wear sunnies?
For individuals who already wear spectacles, they may notice that their lenses are treated with a UV blocking coating to offer more protection. Hirachund says that these individuals can also use prescription sunglasses or UV-blocking clip-ons to protect their eyes.
Also, while contact lenses typically come with a UV filter, they only cover a portion of the eye. Therefore, sunglasses would still help shield the rest of the eye from harmful rays.
Conclusion
Sunglasses are more than a fashion statement as they can assist to reduce discomfort, provide relief and protect their eyes from further damage.
They’re essentially sunscreen for your eyes, however just like sunscreen, sunglasses don’t last forever,
“Over time, the UV coating on sunglasses can wear off,” says Hirachund. She advises that you replace sunglasses every two years, or sooner if they are damaged or scratched, as regular maintenance is key to ensuring optimal protection.
Watch to Learn More About Healthy Vision
If you’d like to learn more about keeping your eyes healthy, then watch the interview with optometrist Yeshalya Hirachund, which features a live eye test.
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