Do your sunglasses give you adequate ultraviolet (UV) light protection? You cannot tell this just by how dark your sunglasses are. There is no link between the dark color of sunglasses and the level of UV protection they give. The color only tells you how much visible sunlight the glasses are blocking out.

For instance, gray-tinted lenses reduce brightness, light amber hues improve contrast, and dark amber colors cut glare. However, these sunglasses might hurt rather than protect your eyes unless they have UV protection.

Tinted sunglasses with no UV protection may cause your pupils to expand to allow more light to enter. This light is usually more than the amount of light that would enter your eyes if you were not wearing sunglasses.

How Much Sun Protection Should Your Sunglasses Give?

Eye doctors recommend getting sunglasses that block out 98 to 100 percent of the sun’s damaging UV light. When shopping for your sunglasses, check the tags to ensure the glasses provide 100 percent UV protection.

Why Is Protection From UV Light So Important?

UV protection is crucial because UV rays are not visible to your eyes. Yet, exposure to these rays can injure your eye and jeopardize your vision. Here is why you need UV protection this summer.

To Prevent Eye Sunburns

Sunglasses prevent the sun from burning your cornea. The cornea is the clear outer layer of your eye that covers the inner parts of your eye. It also allows light to enter your eyes.

The main purpose of the cornea is to bend light to allow you to see clearly. Because of its work, the cornea is vulnerable to damage from the sun's destructive UV light. Thus, every time you are outdoors without UV protection, you risk damaging your cornea permanently.

To Avoid Getting Cataracts

Studies show that UV light is one of the primary triggers of cataracts. If not treated, cataracts can cause permanent vision loss. Fortunately, eye doctors can treat cataracts through eye surgery. But you can stop them from happening in the first place. You can protect your eyes by wearing your UV protection sunglasses when out in the sun.

To Protect Your Retina

The retina is that part of your eye that helps process what you see. Over time, exposing your eyes to harmful UV light can damage your retina. Sun damage to your retina can cause an eye condition called macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration is an eye illness that causes gradual loss of vision. There is no cure for macular degeneration at this point. So, reduce your risk of developing macular degeneration by sporting protective sunglasses when outside.

To Prevent Eyelid Cancer

Protective sunglasses protect your eyes against cancer of the eyelid. The best way to protect your eyelids is to wear sunglasses that cover your eyelids and provide total protection from UV light.

Sunscreen ointments may irritate your eyes when applied to the eyelids. That is because the skin on the eyelids is thin and sensitive. A good, protective pair of sunglasses will give your eyelids the defense they need.

For more on why you need UV protection sunglasses this summer, call Albright Eyecare at (830) 629-409 to reach our office in New Braunfels, Texas.