While most of us reach for sunglasses to escape the brightness on a sunny day, UV-blocking sunglasses serve a more important purpose than just reducing glare. They act as a sunscreen for the eyes and eyelids, making the wearing of sunglasses a critical component of sun protection alongside sunscreen and a broad-brimmed hat.
The Sun’s Harmful Rays
As well as visible light, the sun emits invisible Ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the form of UVA and UVB waves, which can penetrate our skin and eyes. Sunglasses should be worn on a daily basis as protection from these harmful rays. Without protection from the sun’s harmful rays, our eyes are vulnerable to a variety of conditions, some of which can be serious, or at the very least, uncomfortable. Common conditions include dry eyes or pinguecula and pterygium growths (unsightly yellow-red discolourations) . If a pterygium grows, it can impede vision and necessitate surgical removal.
Prolonged sun exposure increases the risk of melanoma and other cancers on the front of the eye. Research has also indicated harmful UV light can elevate the risk of early cataract development or age-related macular degeneration, both of which can impact vision.
Your Eyelids Also Need Protecting From The Sun
It's not just the eyes that require shielding from the sun; the skin around the eyelids is extremely thin. Excessive UV ray exposure can lead to premature aging and skin cancer in this delicate area.
When To Wear Sunglasses
UV radiation is most intense during the middle of the day, but safeguarding our eyes throughout the entire day is important too, especially in the morning or evening when the sun hangs lower in the sky. Don't forget to wear sunglasses when walking the dog in the morning or taking an evening stroll. Oversized sunglasses and a hat should be worn at the beach, fishing or boating because the UV light is very intense near water.
The Optimal Sun Protection for Your Eyes
- Not all sunglasses provide UV protection, and dark lenses may offer no protection at all. Look for markings indicating compliance with New Zealand/Australian or European standards. The CE mark is a common indicator, confirming the sunglasses meet EU health and safety requirements and offer effective UV protection.
- Don Wide-Brimmed Hats: Wearing wide-brimmed hats provides an additional layer of protection, helping to ensure UV rays don't have direct access to your eyes.
- Time Your Outdoor Activities Wisely: Limit time outdoors when UV radiation is at its peak, typically between 10 am and 3 pm, to minimise UV exposure.
- Start Early: Sun damage to our eyes and skin accumulates over time, it's advisable to start early and encourage children to wear sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, and reduce outdoor exposure during peak UV hours.
Polarised Lenses: While polarised lenses excel at reducing glare, they don't necessarily provide sufficient UV blockage.
More Than Fashion! Vital Polarised Sunglasses are much more than a statement of style. They offer the highest level of protection against harmful UV rays. Wear them as part of your year- round defence against harmful UV rays!