I’m concerned about cataracts. Should I wear sunglasses?
In the eye, one of the structures involved in focusing the light onto the retina is called the lens. It is clear when we are young, but as we age, it gets cloudy. Everybody, if they get older, gets cataracts. However, some people get it at a later age than other people. This process is thought to be accelerated by excessive UV rays from sunlight hitting the lens, ie exposure to excessive sunlight. Some studies have proven that people who work outdoors (fishermen, farmers, airline pilots, etc) tend to get cataracts earlier than other people. Every time you go out into the sun, your eye, and more specifically the lens, is exposed to UV light. It is felt that exposure over the years contributes to early cataract formation, so the earlier you start to wear sun protection, the better. Wearing good sunglasses and a hat with a visor help to decrease the amount of UV radiation hitting the eye.
How do sunglasses help?
There is a huge selection of sunglasses out there, with varying degrees of protection, quality, and cost. The most important factor you should consider when it comes to sunglasses is that you need them to reduce glare and protect the eyes, primarily from harmful UV radiation. There are two components of UV radiation that you have to take into consideration, UVA and UVB. Make sure the sunglasses you choose offer 100% protection against both of these components. The label on them should say UV400 or 100% UV protection. Some people buy fashion sunglasses that are just tinted lenses with no UV protection. These actually cause more harm than good because with a tinted lens without UV protection, the pupil expands to allow more light into the eye. Unfortunately, if the UV is not blocked, you are allowing more harmful rays to enter the eye through the enlarged pupil. It is better to wear no glasses than these tinted lenses. Unfortunately, there are lots of counterfeit/fake sunglasses on the market that have fake UV block stickers just added on. Buy from a reputable seller and you should be okay.
Do I need special frames or special colour lenses? What should I look for?
Small frames are not practical for sunglasses. You need full coverage of the eyes for the sunglass to be effective, so make sure the frames are large enough not to allow light to pass through the top/sides of the frame and hit the eyes. As well, make sure they fit close to the face. There are three materials used in sunglass lenses – plastic, polycarbonate, and glass. The glass lenses are always heavier than the plastic and polycarbonate. If you are going to be wearing them for sports like cricket or football, get sunglasses made with polycarbonate lenses. Both plastic and glass lenses absorb some UV light, but UV absorption can be improved by adding chemicals to the lens material during manufacturing or by applying special lens coatings. Polarized lenses cut reflected glare – sunlight that bounces off smooth surfaces like a pavement or water. Polarization has nothing to do with UV light absorption, but many polarized lenses are now combined with a UV-blocking substance. Mirror finishes are thin layers of various metallic coatings on an ordinary lens. Although they do reduce the amount of visible light entering your eyes, do not assume they will fully protect you against UV radiation. Visit your optometrist for advice on the various types of lenses available to suit your individual needs and offer you adequate eye protection.
