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What Sunglasses Do for Your Eyes

We tend to spend more time outdoors in the warm summer months, which exposes our eyes to more sunlight and the harmful UV rays that come with it. Sunglasses that block UV rays are great for protecting our eyes in all seasons, but especially in the summer.
Two pairs of sunglasses reflecting colorful buildings and a street scene with people walking outside.
Summer is almost here, and that means longer days with more sunlight!

We tend to spend more time outdoors in the warm summer months, which exposes our eyes to more sunlight and the harmful UV rays that come with it. Sunglasses that block UV rays are great for protecting our eyes in all seasons, but especially in the summer.

 

What Do UV Rays Do to Our Eyes?

Sunlight can affect our eyes even when we aren’t staring directly into it. It’s actually possible to get sunburns on the surface of our eyes, just like we can get sunburned on our skin. It’s called photokeratitis, and the symptoms include redness, tearing, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and a gritty sensation when blinking. It’s also a problem for skiers and snowboarders due to the light reflecting off the slopes (which is why it’s called “snow blindness”). Bright, sandy beaches create a similar effect.

 

UV Damage Builds Over a Lifetime

UV exposure has a cumulative effect on us. If our eyes get a lot of exposure over the years, it increases the risk of sight-threatening conditions like macular degeneration and cataracts. It also makes us more susceptible to developing conditions like pterygium (also called surfer’s eye), an overgrowth of the clear tissue of the whites of the eyes towards the iris, and pinguecula, which are yellow or white bumps that form in the whites of the eyes.

 

The Protection of Sunglasses

The main goal when selecting sunglasses has to be UV protection. Set fashion goals aside at first. Check the label to make sure it says something like “blocks at least 99% of UVA and UVB rays.” Bigger lenses are also better because they provide more coverage.

A pricier but very effective option is polarized lenses. They’re a little like microscopic window blinds because they block out light coming in from certain directions, such as reflecting off cars or the surface of the water. You can test if lenses are polarized by looking at your phone through them and rotating them to see if the colors change.

 

Minimizing UV Exposure in Other Ways

Sunglasses are an important defense against UV exposure but they aren’t the only one. Here are a few other ways we can protect our eyes and our skin from the sun:

  • Stay out of the sun during the brightest hours of the day (around 10 AM to 4 PM).
  • Regularly apply (preferably dermatologist-approved) sunscreen.
  • Shield your eyes and head with wide-brimmed hats.

 

Find Your Perfect Sun Protection Gear!

We’re here to help any patient looking for sunglasses recommendations. Different shades are better for different types of activities, and you might even want prescription sunglasses. Make sure to get in touch for an appointment if you ever experience photokeratitis symptoms or any other changes to your vision.

 

We love having you in our practice family!
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.
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Focused Eye Care

Focused Eye Care provides eye health, optometry services and vision care products to individuals and families from offices in Nashua and Milford, New Hampshire. To book an appointment, click here.

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  • Best Eye Care 2024
  • Best Eye Wear 2024
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Best of Greater Merrimack-Souhegan Valley Region 2024

  • Best Optometrist / Ophthalmologist 2024
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Best of Greater Merrimack-Souhegan Valley Region 2023

  • Best Optometrist / Ophthalmologist 2023