HERE’S WHY SUNGLASSES RULE

When you ditch your shades, the harmful UVA rays can easily penetrate your eyes

Sunshine on your face? Great. But hold on a second before you squint like a startled owl. Those shades you love aren’t just there to make you look like a rock star (though, hey, they totally do that too). Sunglasses are your eyes’ ultimate wingmen, shielding them from the sun’s not-sofriendly rays.

Here’s why sunglasses are quite necessary.

Invisible UV rays can up your risk for cataracts, macular degeneration, and even eye cancer. Sunglasses that block 100 per cent of UVA and UVB rays are your eyes’ bodyguards.

Eye strain, Adios. Squinting at the sun is like staring at your phone on max brightness — not exactly chill. Sunglasses with tinted lenses reduce glare, letting you see comfortably and keep your eyes feeling fresh.

Glare got nothin’ on you. Sunlight bouncing off water, snow, or even the sidewalk can be a real drag (and a safety hazard!). Sunglasses help you see clearly, whether you’re shredding waves or conquering city streets.

Windblown? No problem. Dust, debris, rogue bugs — they’re no match for your sunglasses. These shades act like a shield, keeping your eyes safe from whatever the wind throws your way.

UVA RAYS AND UVB RAYS

There are many different types of rays present in sunlight. The rays that are most damaging to our skin are called ultraviolet (UV) rays. The two types of rays that reach the Earth’s surface — UVB and UVA. UVB rays are responsible for producing sunburn. The UVB rays also play the greatest role in causing skin cancers, including the deadly black mole form of skin cancer. UVA rays also play a role in skin cancer formation. In addition, the UVA rays penetrate more deeply into the skin and play a greater role in premature skin ageing changes, including wrinkle formation.

Forget the wrinkles. Too much sun can lead to crow’s feet. Sunglasses help minimise sun exposure around your eyes, keeping you looking youthful.

As Boopathy Murugavel, a specialist ophthalmologist in Dubai, explains, your sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement, they are key to better eye health.

SUN RAYS AND HARM

Without your shades, your eyes can suffer some serious damage. Science says so. According to a 2014 study by the US National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, prolonged UV radiation can damage proteins in the eye’s lens.

When you forgo your sunglasses, the ultraviolet radiation (UVA) easily penetrates the eyes as Millicent Grim, a Dubai-based ophthalmologist, emphasises. The eye structures have a rather delicate nature. The retina, located at the back of the eye, contains a particularly sensitive area called the macula. This area is crucial for sharp central vision and helps us see details clearly. It also helps in transmitting messages to the brain.

Light entering the eye can directly impact the functioning of the macula, causing impair. The cornea, the clear dome at the front of the eye, acts as a natural barrier, filtering out most light rays, she explains.

However, it can’t block UV rays completely. Unfiltered UV rays, particularly UVA rays, penetrate the cornea and reach the retina. These rays can damage the proteins in the lens and can also directly affect the macula, leading to macular degeneration. In this case, the macula breaks down, and you lose your central vision.

The front part of your eye, can also get damaged by UVB rays. The cornea and retina work together to focus light on the back of the eye. And so, the continuous exposure of the eyes to ultraviolet radiation can lead to a host of eye problems, as she explains. This includes cataracts, macular degeneration and possibly eye cancer.

UV RAYS & EYE CONDITIONS

Slapping on a pair of shades might not prevent glaucoma as UV rays don’t directly cause the disease, but it can possibly reduce the risk.”

B. MURUGAVEL ★ Opthalmologist

The sunglasses will say what level of UVA and UVB protection they offer. For glaucoma patients, check the thin metallic coatings which act as a shield.”

SUMIT SUKHI ★ Opthalmologist

Opt for brown lenses if you have macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy. These colours enhance contrast, which help your eyesight.

There is a range of illnesses and eye troubles that come from ditching your sunglasses:

Cataracts: Cataract formation is when the proteins in the lens of the eyes start to break down and clump together. Over time, this clump clouds the area on your lens, leading to blurry vision.

Photokeratitis: This is a sunburn, but for the eyes. It occurs when your eyes have prolonged contact with UV rays. The common symptoms are seeing halos, redness, constant tearing up, and a sensitivity to bright light.

Macular degeneration: Like cataracts, you’re prone to this disease if your eyes are hit by UV rays over long periods of time. You start seeing two images instead of one, and you would find it hard to see at night. The brightest colours start seeming faded or yellow. Straight lines look wavy or bent, and you’ll have trouble seeing for a few minutes after entering a dark room.

Pterygium: This occurs, owing to wind, dust and UV rays. A growth forms on the clear coating of the white part of your eye, called the conjunctiva. It starts as pinguecula, which is a yellowish growth and can build on its own. This growth makes it hard for you to see.

Skin cancer around the eyes: The skin around your eyes is rather delicate and thin. Owing to this structure, the UV rays can damage them more, and can make you more prone to skin cancers near your eyelids.

Glaucoma: Referred to as the “thief of sight”, glaucoma typically develops when the drainage system in the eye becomes less efficient, leading to a build-up of fluid and increased intraocular pressure. This continuous pressure gradually damages the optic nerve, causing peripheral vision loss and tunnel vision, making it difficult to carry out activities such as driving. Slapping on a pair of shades might not prevent glaucoma as UV rays don’t directly cause the disease, but it can possibly reduce the risk, according to Murugavel.

CHOOSING RIGHT

You need to exercise caution when you buy your shades.

As Sumit Sukhi, a Dubai-based specialist opthalmologist at Prime GP of Healthcare, emphasises, make sure you invest carefully in a strong pair of protective shades. He advises choosing sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays, and from a reliable manufacturer.

“The sunglasses will say what level of UVA and UVB protection they offer,” he notes. For glaucoma patients, check the thin metallic coatings on the shades too. These help reduce the amount of visible light entering your eyes. The mirror coating acts a shield and protects the eye area.

Secondly, check the colour of the lenses, says Grim. Opt for brown lenses if you have macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy. These colours enhance contrast, which help your eyesight, she says. Brown, grey, or yellow lenses help in minimising colour distortion.

Check with your optometrists, however, before buying.