Q&A for Sunglasses
Q: When can a person do to protect herself from sun exposure?
In regards to the eyes, a quality pair of UV blocking sunglasses is a start.
Q: What exactly are “ultraviolet rays?”
UV refers to that part of the light spectrum which has been determined to damage the skin and eyes. It is what causes sunburn and has been linked to the formation of types of cataracts.
Q: How can people protect themselves from the sun’s UV rays?
Sunscreen for the skin and the answer to question number 1!
Q: Are sunglasses an important part of a sun protection plan?
Yes.
Q: What type of sunglasses best protect from UV rays?
Lenses with 100% UV protection are best. Regular tinted, non-UV coated lenses are the worst.
Q: I’ve heard of getting my skin sunburned, but can your eyes also get sunburned?
Yes
Q: Do darker sunglasses mean better sun protection?
No. UV coated sunglasses are best but even UV coated clear lenses are better than uncoated sunglasses. Uncoated sunglasses are actually worse the darker they get. Dark sunglasses cause the pupil to expand more allowing more harmful rays into the eye.
Q: Does having a prescription make it harder to get the right sunglasses?
No. Any prescription can be made in sunglasses.
Q: Do certain brands of sunglasses perform better than other brands?
Better quality brands with ophthalmic quality lenses are best. Drug store or convenience store sunglasses often use lenses that are punched out of a tinted piece of plastic causing waves in the lenses that cause excessive eyestrain. Also, the better quality sunglasses are polarized. While they do not offer any additional UV protection they do eliminate the glare that a standard tinted lens cannot. Recently advances have been made in tens treatments that have actually improved on the standard UV and polarized lenses. These lenses block harmful blue light which is that part of the spectrum closest to UV light and may actually be the most harmful part of the spectrum.