Protect Your Eyes This Summer
With summer comes sunshine, and with sunshine comes exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays and white-hot glare. So you may be pondering a new pair of shades.
The evidence is sketchy, but high-energy ultraviolet rays from the sun may impair vision later in life by damaging the macula (an area in back of the eye that helps transmit images to the brain) – especially if your eyes are light-colored.
Getting rid of the glare
Direct sunlight can become too bright for comfort when you’re outdoors for any length of time. Glare is particularly bothersome:
- with aging, as our pupils grow larger and more sensitive to light
- if you’ve had refractive surgery such as LASIK
Polarized lenses are most effective in reducing glare. Brown, grey, green and yellow lenses are best at minimizing color distortion – important for driving. But in general, color is less important than UV rating.
Locking in on lenses
When choosing sunglasses, Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute ophthalmologist Rishi Singh, MD, offers these recommendations:
- Select sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB light to best protect vision. You don’t need to pay a premium – UV protection is available in all price ranges. Choose the highest level UVA/UVB protection you can find (usually printed right on the tag).
- Look for amber or brown lenses if you have macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, two leading causes of blindness. Amber and brown lenses enhance contrast and will help you see better.
- Wear sunglasses regularly when you’re outdoors – on your nose, not on top of your head!
Note: If you wear prescription eyeglasses, you’re already getting some UV protection – especially if you have polycarbonate lenses. The newer prescription glasses that automatically darken outdoors offer you protection against glare as well as UV radiation.
Your optometrist can help you find the best sunglasses for you.
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Be Well™ eNews articles are written for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. They have not been designed to replace a physician's assessment and medical judgment. Always consult with your physician first about anything related to your personal health.
