UV Protection 101: What You Should Know About Sunglasses

As the weather warms up, you may find yourself spending more time in the sunshine. Protecting your eyes from UV rays while in the sun is essential, making sunglasses and UV protection a must! 

UV Exposure and Eye Health

UV rays are present year-round, whether it is sunny or cloudy and whether we are inside or outside. But what are UV rays?

UV (Ultraviolet) light is a form of radiation emitted from the sun and artificial sources. While some exposure to UV light is beneficial, too much exposure can increase the risk of certain eye diseases and other health issues, including skin cancer.

Short-term impacts of UV exposure on our eyes are corneal sunburn (called keratitis) and eye redness and irritation. Long-term effects of UV exposure include an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and even eyelid skin cancer. In fact, 5-10% of skin cancers occur around the eyes.

Protecting Your Eyes from UV Rays

There are several things you can do to protect your eyes from sun damage:

• Always put on a pair of sunglasses when you head out. Whether you're outside for just a minute or planning to spend the day outdoors, wearing sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection is one of the easiest ways to protect your eyes from UV rays while outside.

• Put on a hat. While sunglasses do a lot to protect your eyes, a hat provides additional protection to the area around your eyes.

• Explore UV protection. If you wear glasses, UV protection lens coatings can provide UV protection inside and out.

People with lighter-colored eyes have an increased risk of developing eye diseases related to UV exposure because more UV light can pass through the iris. For that reason, people with light-colored eyes may also experience more light sensitivity than people with darker eyes.

Sunglasses are also important for kids as their eyes are still developing. Sun exposure from a young age can contribute to the development of eye disease later in life.

Choosing the Right Pair of Sunglasses

While style and comfort play a big role in choosing the right pair of sunglasses, the right lenses also make a big difference.

The first rule of thumb is to choose sunglasses that provide 100% UVA/UVB protection. But don't be fooled; darker lenses don't automatically offer more protection.

Different lens tints can be beneficial for different activities. Polarized sunglasses help reduce glare and reflection off surfaces like water. Popular lens colors like gray and brown each serve a unique purpose. Gray lenses provide the truest color perception and are typically dark enough to feel comfortable in bright conditions, while brown lens tints can offer better depth perception.

Larger lenses and wraparound-style sunglasses provide more coverage and help protect the delicate skin around the eyes. They can also help block irritants like allergens from entering your eyes on windy days.

Starting Healthy Habits

Sun protection is important year-round, and UV damage is cumulative within your lifetime. Wearing sunglasses daily when you head out the door is a stylish and easy way to support your eye health.

Your DeltaVision network eye doctor is an excellent resource for questions about sunglasses and protecting your eyes from UV rays. Be sure to ask them how you can protect your eyes from UV rays at your next appointment!

This article previously appeared on VSP, Delta Dental of Tennessee’s DeltaVision partner.