Sunglasses more than a Fashion Accessory

Originally published BNET article in  Sept, 2003  by Amy Goldhammer

Sunlight is just as dangerous to your eyes as it is to your skin. You wouldn't spend a lot of time in the sun without wearing sunscreen; why would you do the same without wearing truly protective sunglasses? The right kind can help prevent permanent eye damage, including cataracts and macular degeneration, both leading causes of vision loss. Here are some tips from ophthalmologist Jonathan Davidorf, M.D., clinical assistant professor at the University of California, Los Angeles' Jules Stein Eye Institute.

1. Check the label. Make sure it says "100 percent ultraviolet (UV) protection" or "UV absorption up to 400 nm" (nanometers). Sunglasses that do not adequately filter out UV light can actually cause more eye damage than wearing no sunglasses at all, because a darkened lens causes the pupil to dilate, letting in more harmful UV rays.
2. Don't be misled by price. Higher-priced sunglasses usually reflect style and/or durability, not necessarily protection.
3. Don't settle for just polarized lenses. While they may do a good job of reducing glare, they do not, by themselves, provide adequate UV protection.
4. Don't be fooled by lens color or darkness. A special chemical coating is what gives a lens its ability to block UV rays. Nonetheless, brown, amber and gray lenses usually provide the best protection.
5. Select closefitting larger or wraparound lenses. These prevent UV rays from getting in around the sides--especially important on water and sand, where sunlight is reflected.