PROTECT YOUR EYES
Choosing sunglasses
Sunglasses aren’t just for show — they should be good enough to protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays and ward off early cataracts or other eye damage, according to Vancouver- based doctor of optometry Della Chow.
The amount of exposure to sunlight over a lifetime adds to the risk of developing cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens that must be surgically removed to restore clear vision. Simply living to an old age is the biggest reason people get cataracts, Chow says, but UV light hitting the naked eye can speed the process.
“It’s mainly because we’re living longer. If you don’t live that long, you don’t have to worry about keeping your parts in condition,” Chow says. “In the past, they didn’t pay as much attention. But now that people are living longer, these conditions are showing up.
“You can think of it like wallpaper: too much sun causes it to age sooner.”
That’s the long- term view, but even a day of bright light reflecting off water or snow can sunburn the cornea on the front of your eyes. Like sunburned skin, the cornea will recover, although patients report painful, watery eyes that feel gritty in the meantime.
“Mainly it happens when you’re out on the water or skiing, if you’re not wearing sun protection,” Chow says.
And it can sneak up on you, like sunburned skin that seems much worse once you’re back at home and getting ready for bed.
Age- related macular degeneration has also been linked to years of over- exposure to sunlight, although there has been some debate among scientists about the role UV light plays in the condition. Smoking is known to be a major risk factor for macular degeneration, which reduces a person’s central vision.
So do you have to spend a fortune to protect your eyes? Probably not.
“Most sunglasses in Canada — even the ones you get in the gas station — have 100 per cent UV protection,” Chow says.
The difference is in the quality of the lenses. Cheap sunglasses may have distorted or easily scratched lenses which make your eyes feel tired or cause headaches. Chow compares it to the lens in a disposable camera versus a high- end one.
“When you’re paying for a more expensive pair of sunglasses, you’re paying for something like a Canon or Nikon lens in a camera,” she says.
And although designer or specialized sport sunglasses will cost several hundred dollars, goodquality lenses should be available around the $ 100 mark, she says. Anti- reflective and scratch resistant coatings are usually included in better glasses, she adds.
Parents aren’t going to want to shell out a lot of money for children’s sunglasses which are liable to be lost, so basic pairs with UV protection should be fine, Chow says.
“If you’re finding that you need sunglasses,” she says, “your child needs it, too.”