Importance of Eyewear Sun Protection

Most of us know the importance of protecting our skin from damaging UV rays but very few think about the importance of protecting your eyes from sun exposure.

New research by the American Optometric Association shows only 47 percent of Americans say UV protection is the most important factor when purchasing sunglasses.

This is most important particularly in the summer when UV radiation is at least three times higher than it is in the winter. Sun damage to your eyes can contribute to cataracts, macular degeneration and growths on the eye, including cancer. The more UV protection your sunglasses offer, the better.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that the more tinted a pair of sunglasses are, the better they will protect you. UV protection information is typically found on the price sticker or hangtag of any pair of sunglasses. If you can’t find the UV protection information on a pair, keep walking.

Dennis Robertson, M.D. ophthalmologist with Mayo Clinic, says that UV radiation from the sun can damage not only the skin of your eyelid but also the cornea, lens and other parts of the eye.

“When you're choosing sunglasses, look for UV-protection details on product labels. Choose sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays,” Robertson says. “Skip sunglasses that are labeled ‘cosmetic’ and those that don't offer details on UV protection. Opt for larger lenses rather than smaller lenses — or, better yet, the wraparound variety.”