Too much exposure to UV light raises your risk of eye diseases and other problems. Each time you bask in the sun without eye protection, you increase your risk of serious disease, such as eye cancer, cataracts, eye growths, or sunburned eyes. But there’s a simple solution: protect your eyes with sunglasses. To get the most protection for your eyes and to maintain your best vision while wearing sunglasses, consider these tips.
Optimal Protection
Select sunglasses that provide 100% UV or UV400 protection, or block both UV-A and UV-B rays.
Consider buying close-fitted, oversized, or wraparound-style glasses screening out 75% -90% of visible light – which help cut down on UV light entering the eye from every angle.
While you may like the look of dark lenses, they don’t necessarily block more UV rays. Amber, green, or gray lenses don’t block more sun either, but they can increase contrast, which may be useful for playing some sports.
Polarization reduces glare coming off reflective surfaces like water, snow, or pavement. While this does not offer more protection from the sun, it can make activities like driving, skiing, or being on the water safer or more enjoyable.
Lens Quality Matters
When purchasing prescription sunglasses, it’s important to choose a lens that can meet your unique vision needs. The lenses should seamlessly integrate with frames that comfortably fit your face and your lifestyle. At the Eye Center, we’re fans of Shamir for prescription sunglasses. Shamir lens technology simulates real world images by reverse engineering the lens design, providing an improved viewing experience for all patients. Regardless of your prescription or choice of frame, Shamir lenses produce crystal clear images for myopic and hyperopic patients. Shamir’s diagnostic software can see precisely where in the lens patients look when they perform tasks in various visual zones. Each Shamir lens is crafted exactly for how each individual will use it.
We would love to help you with your next pair of prescription sunglasses, or to answer any questions you may have about the best way to protect your eyes from the sun. Optical appointments are available at our Fort Collins at Prospect, Greeley, and Loveland locations.
