Does UV & UVB Protection Matter When Choosing Glasses?
With all the advances in science these days, it’s tough to know exactly what and who to pay attention to. However, when it comes to protecting your eyes, obviously, ultraviolet (UV) eye protection is as important as it gets.
From preventing damage to the eyelid skin to ensuring that your lens and cornea stay in tact and healthy, UV protection in your eyewear is no small matter. Medical experts note that in addition to the above damage, UV rays may also contribute to the onset of cataracts, as well as macular degeneration.
More Information on UV Rays and Damage to the Eyes
Whether you are choosing regular eyewear or prescription sunglasses, be sure to ask your optician about the status of the UV-protection in your lenses. There are lenses available now that protect nearly all of the damaging effects of both UVA and UVB rays. So do darker sunglasses have more protective ability? No! Don’t be fooled. The color of the lens has little to nothing to do with how much UV protection your eyes will get.
Photokeratitis is what happens as a result of excessive UV radiation on the eyes within a short amount of time. In terms of the damage and the feeling, it’s like getting a sunburn on your eye — painful, red, gritty sensation in the eyes. Add in extra sensitivity to light and increased tearing. Though the condition is often temporary, UV damage to the eyes is never a good thing.
Long-term exposure to UV radiation is dramatically different, and a great deal more harmful. Retina damage, cataracts, and more — if you have the opportunity to protect your eyes from the damaging effects of the sun, you definitely should.
[Photo Credit: ESPF]