Sunglasses

Don't put your sunglasses away

Summer's over and winter is on its way, but don't stow your sunglasses away. According to Dr. Keith Gordon, head of research at CNIB, our eyes need protection from the sun all year round to avoid damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays and discomfort caused by glare.

"Most people don't realize it, but glare is nearly always present during daylight hours, whether the sun is shining or not," says Gordon. Reflections from shiny surfaces like snow, vehicles or buildings can subject the eyes to nearly 12 times more light than you actually need, even in winter. This causes irritation and discomfort as your pupils contract, your eyelids narrow and you squint to see properly. Besides being painful, glare can be dangerously distracting when driving or engaging in sports activities outdoors.

A far more serious problem is the sun's UV rays. In the short term, Gordon says, exposure can cause a painful, temporary condition called photokeratitis, which is literally a sunburn on the surface of your eyeball. Long-term exposure increases your risk of developing two more serious conditions: cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (the leading cause of vision loss in Canadians over 50).

Good-quality sunglasses will help protect your eyes from UV damage and fatigue. Look for a manufacturer's label indicating the glasses offer 100 per cent UV A and B protection. If you're unsure, ask the sales assistant or your eye care professional for guidance.

Sunglasses should be dark enough to reduce glare, but should not distort colours or interfere with recognizing things like traffic signals. Lenses should also be large enough to block light entering from the side. Sports models that wrap all the way around the temples are ideal. A hat with a wide brim is also useful to block sunlight from overhead.

Just as you would not send children out without sunscreen, you should also make sure they wear sunglasses with 100 per cent UV protection when out in the sun year-round. Look for polycarbonate lenses, which are more shatter-resistant than regular ones.

More information is available online at www.cnib.ca or toll-free 1-800-563-2672.

Credit: www.newscanada.com

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