Why Sun Glasses are More Than Just a Fashion Statement
Now that summer is here and the sun is scorching hot again, we have to start gearing up for a much-needed protection from the damaging effects of the sun. And with the spotlight focused on protecting our skin, it’s good to remember that our eyes need protection too. Intense and short-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVA or UVB light rays) has the potential to cause eye damage, specifically with ultraviolet increasing the risk of developing cataracts and visible light increasing the risk of macular degeneration as well as skin cancer around the eyes and on the lids.
For these reasons, we might have to start seeing sunglasses as more than just a fashion statement but rather as our eye protection from the heat of the sun. So when buying sunglasses, we have to aim for a balance between protection and usefulness.
Here’s a checklist to help you when shopping for the best sun glasses:
* UV Protection
Any pair of sunglasses you purchase should give you 100% UV protection, the major culprit in cataract formation.
Ensure that the label indicates the precise level of protection, not just that the lenses meet ANSI standards.
* Lens Darkness
The darker the lenses, the better the protection from blue light, which can lead to macular degeneration.
Test sunglasses by wearing them outside on a bright, sunny day. The glasses should give you comfortable relief from brightness and glare, while letting in enough light to see traffic lights.
* Polarization
Polarized lenses allow only light from certain angles to pass through to your eyes. Thus, they reduce glare from lakes and seas, and reduce it from the windows of vehicles around you while you’re driving.
* Lens Shape
You can choose between flat and curved sunglass lenses.
Curved ones are the most common and provide clearer visible light and UV affect your eyes and the best protection from both ultraviolet and visible light.
* Frame and Lens Size
What size frame is right for you?
Test this by taking the sunglasses outside and moving your head up and down and side to side. Find the largest sunglasses that don’t touch your eyebrows or cheeks, as contact will soon bother you.
*Wraparound lenses offer the best protection.
Source:
http://health.msn.com/