Eye Care: How to Choose the Best Sunglasses

This is a follow up on the previous bacis eye care article. Basic eye care includes protecting the eyes from the everyday ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. Putting on an eyewear, which is also referred as shades or sunglasses, that has 100% UV blocking quality is not only for fashion but also basic eye protection. This would help visibility in a bright, sunny and glary day and a great defense against UV light that can cause short- and long-term eye damage and health issues.

And here are the important factors to consider when purchasing an eyewear to protect eyes from the sun:

Consider Four Things

1. Blocks 100% of UV light. The most important thing to consider when buying sunglasses to protect eyes from the sun is the eyewear block 100% of UV rays. However, only few people are aware and/or even bother to check whether the lenses have that quality.  Even the tag or sticker say it provide UV protection make sure it does by using a UV flashlight, a paper money or credit card with security features.

       

     Request to go to the backroom, or a room that can be darken, to test the product. First, turn of the flashlight and beam it on the money or credit card, one would see the various security features like watermarks. the proceed with the testing of the product by beaming the UV flashlight through one of the lenses and onto the money or credit card. If the security feature appear or visible , then the eyewear are not 100%UV protected. However, if the security features could not be seen then it is authentic blocks 100% of UV rays.

2. Coverage. The bigger the better, as it provide more coverage, which help cut down UV light entering the eye from the side.

3. Lenses. Darker lenses, colored lenses and polarized lenses do not provide more protection from UV rays.  Darker lenses may be stylish and fashionable, while colored lenses can increase contrast, that is useful for athletes who play outdoor sports like baseball or golf, but those lenses do not block UV light. With polarized lenses help in cutting the glare that comes from reflective surfaces like water and pavement. However, all those lenses do not offer more protection from the sun's UV  radiation.

4. Cost. The price tag should not be a deferring factor, as it is a long term investment for one’s health. There are very expensive and branded-labeled sunglasses that do not have UV protection, surprisingly enough, there are relatively inexpensive glasses that offer effective UV protection.

Unfortunately, there is little regulation of glasses as labeling can be deceptive, so if possible test the product before buying at the store. If you have already bought the item, return immediately and ask for a refund.  This might help save tons in medical bill in the long run.

Is there a health issues you want to talk about? Please share your thoughts, do post your comment, inquiry, reaction, suggestion, and/or correction. And do not forget to follow this blog for more interesting information and ideas. Thank you!

As always take care, safety first, stay healthy, keep it simple, be real and enjoy!

References

1. Kinkead, E.B., Sehbai, D.S. & Tunney, C.J. (Eds.). (1972). Modern Century Illustrated Encyclopedia (Vols.). Australia: McGraw-hill Far Eastern Publishers

2. American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2018, January 24).  Can Vitamins Protect Against Blue Light Damage? [Blog Post]. Retrieved from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/news/can-vitamins-protect-against-blue-light-damage