As that famous song goes, “the future’s so bright…I gotta wear shades.” There’s more than a little truth to this song. That’s because the right pair of shades is essential when it comes to eye health.
In fact, many eye problems associated with the sun can be prevented with the perfect pair of sunglasses. But not all sunglasses are created equally.
Know just what to look for when it comes to that perfect find. Fashion can be combined with health to create a winning combination. It’s easy to pick up that adorable “on-a-whim” find when it comes to sunglasses; however, this decision just may come at a price.
The perfect pair of shades is designed with health in mind. Long-term exposure to the blue and violet parts of the solar spectrum can increase the risk of macular degeneration. This is particularly true for those who are sensitive to the sun.
So what’s macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss among those older than 60 in the United States. This condition, characterized by destruction of the macula, can cause blindness as well as visual impairment that is irreversible.
Not 60 yet? Don’t dismiss these statistics. Macular degeneration can be hereditary. In fact, the chance of getting it may be increased by 40 to 70 percent if it runs in the family.
And that’s not the only cause of concern when it comes to eye health and the sun.
This one’s not a secret, but it’s important. The sun's brightness and glare have the ability to interfere with vision in general. That’s why too much sun leads to squinting and watering of the eyes.
Spending just two or three hours in bright sunlight can affect the ability to adapt to indoor lighting or nighttime darkness. This can make for hazardous driving conditions. In other words, not having the right pair of shades could lead to a wreck. That’s a definite eye opener.
Experts also say that sunglasses can protect the eyelids from cancer. Though we rarely think about it, cancer of the eyelids is common. In fact, nonmelanoma skin cancers are often found in the eyelid region.
Two of these types of cancer are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). These cancers make up 5 to 10 percent of all skin cancers. And with these cancers comes a risk of damage to the eye as well as the potential for blindness.
Another thing to be aware of is the risk of cataracts. Sunglasses can actually slow the development of cataracts. Though this condition is most common among older folks, it can affect younger people. Even more important, it is thought to occur as a result of lifetime exposure to the UV rays of the sun.
UV rays can cause snow blindness, which is medically referred to as photokeratitis. Though temporary, this condition can be painful – it's a sunburn on the eye's surface. Ouch!
And of course, that perfect pair of shades can prevent a painful sunburn around the eyes. No one wants to experience this. It just plain hurts. So what do you need to know to find that perfect pair of shades?
First, the harsh facts of regulation. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), finding appropriate shades can be tricky. That’s because there are currently no federal requirements when it comes to sunglasses and UV protection. This also applies to light transmission levels and lens quality. Really, the only federal regulation dictates lens impact resistance.
Standards of the voluntary nature are lax. While you’d think it would, uniform labeling regarding UV protection simply does not exist. And the AOA says that the amount of differing UV labels nearly equals the number of sunglasses manufacturers. Add that to the fact that studies show that these labels can greatly mislead consumers.
Further, price does not dictate quality. According to the AOA, researchers have found that some top-of-the-line finds offer poor quality lenses or inadequate UV protection.
However, many cheaper options just may measure up in a good way. This means reading between the lines to find sunglasses designed with the aforementioned circumstances in mind.
Shopping smart begins with reading UV labels thoroughly. Ideally, look for shades that block out at least 99 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation. Lenses should screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light.
Further, look for sunglasses that are free of any distortion -- be it visual or color. After all, a pair of sunglasses with red lenses and enamel on the lenses may make a statement, but they're certainly not the safest choice.Now to the fun part. Where should you shop for awesome shades?
One great option for a pricier find is Maui Jim. This brand offers state-of-the-art technology with its PolarizedPlus2 ™ lens technology. These bad boys block up to 99 percent of glare. They also eliminate 100 percent of UV radiation. And they’re designed to eliminate visual distortions associated with darkness. And they're good-looking to boot.
Another well-known brand is BluBlocker. This brand originally started in the NASA space program. And don’t forget that BluBlocker has a claim to fame with its famous shatter-resistant lenses. In fact, you can hit them with a hammer and they won’t break. Numerous customers have sent letters to the company thanking them for protection in accidents that would have caused blindness had it not been for the strength of the product to withstand trauma.
Further, BluBlocker’s amber Malenium lenses claim to block 100 percent of both UV and blue light. This is an added benefit. And though this brand was once associated with the fashion challenged (remember those late-night infomercials?), it has come a long way in that respect.
So what if you don’t want to shell out a fortune on shades? Don’t worry. Experts are already two steps ahead.
In fact, a professor from the School of Optometry at the University of California-Berkeley delved into this concept. To get to the bottom of this question, he bought 11 cheap pairs of shades ranging from $10 to 20 to find out just how well they work. In addition, he bought top-of-the-line finds for comparison. Though the inexpensive pairs weren’t as comfortable, they were found to be just as safe.