CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QC Life) - The summer solstice is approaching, which means the sun will be out in the sky longer each day in the summer. To protect your eyes from the rays, QC Life has got you covered by making sure your eyes are safe.
Optometrist Dr. Rachael Wruble joined our show to share some information about the sun and how it affects our eyes. She also provided some tips on how to protect them and how one should go about choosing their next pair of sunglasses.
One thing to think about is the UV rating on a pair of sunglasses. One should look for a pair that provides 100% UV or UV400 protection, or blocks both UV-A and UV-B rays.
The color of the lens does not mean it will block out more sun. For example, darker glasses do not necessarily mean you will be more protected. However, some lens colors can provide more contrast, such as a brown or rose-colored lens, which can sometimes be useful for those who play outdoor sports such as baseball or golf.
Regardless of the color lens you pick, to protect more of your eyes from the sun one should use bigger lenses. The bigger the lenses, the less room there is for the sun to enter your eyes. To prevent the sun from coming through the sides or from the top, Wruble said to consider oversized or wraparound-style glasses.
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It is also important to think about polarized or non-polarized shades. Polarized lenses reduce the glares coming off of reflective surfaces like water and filter bright light. Without the glare, it allows for clearer vision making certain activities such as driving, boating and golfing better. However, Wruble said polarization doesn’t provide you with UV protection.
Some polarized sunglasses can be made with a substance that blocks UV. If one is considering purchasing a pair, they should look at the label to see if it offers maximum UV protection. Additionally, Wruble said polarized lenses can give you color perception, something that one may miss out on if using regular sunglasses.
Some additional tips to protect your eyes from the sun include wearing a hat - broad-brimmed hats are better - while you wear sunglasses, not looking directly into the sun and protecting your skin from skin cancer, especially the skin around you eyes, from the rays. Also keep in mind that the sun is strongest midday to the early afternoon and that sun rays can still pass through clouds.
For more tips on how to protect your eyes from the sun and for more information about how the sun affects us, view the segment above.
For more information about eye protection, visit belmonteye.net and northlakeeye.com.
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