In addition to helping us see better by blocking out glare, as well as giving us a sense of style, sunglasses can play an important role in protecting our eyes. This is because they block out harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that can cause permanent damage to your eyes that includes cataracts and even retinal damage.

Unfortunately, not all sunglasses are created equally. Most people assume that if glasses are dark, they will adequately block out UV rays, but that is not always the case, and cost is not a guarantee of protection. Currently there are no government bodies in place to regulate the sales of sunglasses to the public, such that companies are free to misrepresent the protective qualities of their products, leaving the consumer in the dark (no pun intended).

With this in mind, eye care professionals recommend that a person purchase their glasses from a reputable company and make sure to look for both UVA and UVB protection. For additional protection from the sun, they also encourage people to wear wide brimmed hats that prevent sunlight from contacting the eyes from above or through the sides of the lenses.

Some other important issues to consider include the color of your irises, whereby light colors like blue or green or more sensitive to bright light. Sunglasses are important even when wearing contact lenses because even though the lenses can block out some of the UV rays, sunglasses can lessen the lens’s drying effect. And finally, eye care professionals stress that it is never too early to protect the eyes, and parents should consider fitting their children, even infants, with some sort of eye protection.

When we think of UV light, we usually refer to long wavelengths (UVA) and medium wavelengths (UVB) of light. Short wavelengths (UVC) exist, and are the most dangerous, but most of our exposure to them is limited because it is filtered out of sunlight by that atmosphere.

Most of the UV light that we come in contact with comes mainly from the sun, and it can have both a positive and negative impact on our health. UV light induces our skin to produce vitamin D, which is believed to play a role in numerous bodily functions, including calcium metabolism, immunity, insulin secretion, and blood pressure. UV light also used in some medical applications like the treatment of skin conditions that include psoriasis.

However, most of us are familiar with the detrimental effects of UV light, particularly on our skin. Excessive exposure to UV light can result in sunburn, accelerating the aging process while increasing the risk for certain cancers. Overexposure can also adversely affect our immune systems and, of course, our eyes.

This happens because UV light is absorbed by molecules (chromophores) in the cells and tissue of our eyes, which can lead to damage to the cornea, lens, and retina. Protective eyewear is essential to protect us from these damaging effects, especially at high altitudes where the atmosphere is thinner and light is reflected off of snowy or icy surfaces.

While ordinary, untreated glasses afford some level of protection, with plastic lenses being better than glass, protective lens treatments offer the most benefit.

If you have questions or concerns, speak with your primary care physician or your eye care professional for more information.