The importance of wearing sunglasses for eye health
Medically reviewed by Ing. Petra Průchová, Optometrist, on 24 Apr 2020. Written by Lentiamo
Sunglasses not only make you look and feel good, they’re incredibly important in preserving the overall health of your eyes. Eyes are extremely delicate and susceptible to disease and injury just like any other part of the body.
Quality sunglasses are a necessary and important protective tool. Learn about how harmful UV rays can lead to eye disease and see how a pair of sunglasses can preserve the health of your eyes.
Sunlight can cause severe eye disease
Skin needs to be protected from UV rays and eyes are no different. Solar radiation has fatal consequences for our cornea and retina. If too much unfiltered sunlight reaches the eyes, especially at a young age, serious diseases, blindness and cancer could develop.
An adult's eye lens can absorb UV light to a certain extent before it enters into the eye. Children's eyes however, are particularly vulnerable. In the first years of life, 90% of UVA and over 50% of UVB rays reach the retina. Between 10 and 13 years of age, 60% and 25% respectively. It is only between the ages of 18 and 20 that UV rays can be filtered by the eye's lens.
Sunglasses can help promote eye recovery
Sunlight and debris can be disruptive to healing after common corrective eye procedures such as LASIK and cataract surgeries. Similar to how you would wear a plaster over a scrape to keep dirt and germs out, sunglasses act as a shield to promote a quick and smooth recovery after eye procedures.
Of course, it’s always important to consult your eye care professional to discuss proper aftercare for your situation.
Sunglasses provide eye protection from the elements
Everyone knows it’s important to wear sunglasses on sunny days, but it’s also essential to wear them during regular daylight hours even when it's cloudy.
The intensity of UV radiation is multiplied by the reflection from the snow, and this can cause a condition we call snow blindness. In this case, a polarizing filter has a positive benefit, which does not allow horizontal radiation reflected from the snow through, better protecting vision.
Wind can dry out and irritate your eyes any time of the year. It also kicks up sand and dust. This can irritate the eyes but may also scratch them and lead to further discomfort and problems.
What to look for when buying sunglasses
Not all sunglasses are made alike. Whether they’re vintage, cheap, or expensive, they may or may not be protecting your eyes. Here's what to pay attention to:
Quality sunglasses with UV protection
Most sunglasses today have UV protection embedded in the lens rather than coated over it. Most reputable brands list UV protection on their label. Look for a label that says “100% protection against both UVA and UVB” or “100% protection against UV 400.”
High-quality sunglasses don’t have to be expensive
Sunglasses can be affordable and protect your eyes at the same time. It's important to distinguish between cheap sunglasses and those that were designed with eye health in mind. For example, Lentiamo sunglasses were developed by optometrists and come with a category 3 UV filter to offer quality protection at an affordable price.
These are some important considerations when making the decision to protect your eyes. Browse our selection of quality sunglasses. Find well-known brands with the best UV filters to protect your eyes.
