Sunglasses are more than a fashion statement — they’re made to protect your eyes. While protective eyewear dates back 2,000 years, modern sunglasses gained popularity in the 1920s after being used to treat light sensitivity. Today, they’re a year-round essential, shielding your eyes from UV radiation.
From the beach to the snow, for leisure or work, sunglasses are an essential accessory. Sunglasses offer more than just glare reduction — many are now equipped with advanced features that protect the eyes from various potential hazards and can also enhance vision. With summer approaching, now is the perfect time to make sure your eyes are protected. GMHBA Eye Care optometrist, Sarah Edwards explores the health-protecting benefits of wearing sunglasses.
Ultraviolet radiation
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a form of energy emitted by the sun. While some exposure is natural, excessive UV radiation can harm both the skin and eyes, leading to sunburn, premature aging, and even certain types of cancer. When it comes to our eyes, prolonged UV exposure has been linked to the development and progression of several serious conditions, including:
· Cataracts are the slow clouding over of the lens in the eye that results in decreased vison. Cataracts commonly develop slowly over the course of a lifetime, but this process is accelerated by increased UV exposure.
· Pterygiums are fleshy lumps of tissue that begin on the white of the eye and can slowly grow over the cornea. They can be uncomfortable, appear red, and potentially impact your vision if they extend to the central portion of the cornea.
· Photokeratitis also known as 'snow blindness', is basically sunburn of the eye. It can cause pain, redness, swelling and light sensitivity, which may not be apparent until hours after the UV exposure occurs.
· Solar retinopathy is permanent damage to the retinal photoreceptors caused by UV rays passing directly through the eye and hitting the retina. You should never look directly at the sun, even while wearing sunglasses.
· Basal cell carcinomas are non-melanotic skin cancers. The delicate skin around the eye and eyelid is highly susceptible to this type of carcinoma as it is often missed when applying sunscreen.
To prevent such conditions, a UV coating on sunglasses provides much needed protection for your eyes. Additionally, large close-fitting wrap frames will help to shield the eye area from peripheral UV rays.
Environmental irritants
Exposure to environmental irritants such as wind, dust, pollens or heat can also cause damage to the surface of the eye. When this occurs, it is common for the eyes to water, become red and irritated, causing discomfort. Sunglasses offer more than just UV protection; they provide a physical barrier to protect the ocular surface.
Glare and reflection
An obvious reason to wear sunglasses is to decrease the glare from the sun, however in many cases, glare reflected off surfaces is the most problematic. This blinding glare may come from sunlight reflecting off:
· the rear windshield of the car in front of you
· water
· sand
· snow
· oil or water on the road's surface
Polarised lenses reduce reflected glare, enhance contrast and visibility, and most importantly, improve visual comfort. Reflected glare is typically horizontal and polarised lenses work by blocking this horizontal light, only allowing vertical light to pass through. Polarised lenses can be made with a UV coating making them a great option in sunglasses. For example, polarised lenses significantly reduce glare from sunlight reflecting off water, making them an excellent option for fisherman as it allows them to see into the water.
Tint options
Tinted lenses come in a range of colours to filter different wavelengths of light, making them suitable for varied purposes. When next updating your sunglasses, it pays to consider that different tint colours may be better suited to your lifestyle and hobbies. Some tint colours are made to enhance the colours you see, and others may be better for reducing glare, blocking light or even improving your visual function. Green lenses have become popular among golfers as they can provide better contrast. Brown tints are often preferred in low light, mountain biking, trail running and winter months, while yellow tints are great for snow sports. Grey tints are popular in Australia as they tend to provide a ‘true colour’.
Clarity
Reducing glare using tints and polarised lenses will improve the clarity of your vision, and those of us requiring a prescription don’t need to miss out. Prescription lenses can be tinted, have UV coatings and be polarised, allowing you to enjoy your best possible vision, be it reading by the pool or keeping an eye on your kids in the surf.
While sunglasses may be seen simply as a fashion item, they are also designed to provide comfort, clarity and protection for your eyes. With this insight it’s worth thinking about UV protection, polarisation and your prescription – as well as the frame design and fit – when choosing your next pair.
The team at GMHBA Eye Care can advise you on the best options to suit your lifestyle and level of vision. Come and chat to the friendly GMHBA Eye Care team for further information and advice for your vision needs.
Book appointment at GMHBA Eye Care
About the author
Sarah graduated with a Bachelor of Optometry with Honours from UNSW in 2002 and completed a Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics in 2023. Sarah has lived and worked in the Geelong region since her graduation and has been part of GMHBA Eye Care since its inception in 2015. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys reading on the beach, playing card games, cheering at the footy, and wrangling her teenage children and cats.
