Eye Health - How Sunglasses Can Help Maintain It?

Sunglasses with larger frames, and often wraparound styles, help protect your eyes from the harmful UV radiation of the sun in a higher degree than smaller lenses or close-fitting glasses.

Ultraviolet radiation, though in small doses can help your vitamin D intake, exposure to excessive amounts can cause sunburns and even cancer. And, it is also very detrimental to optical health. Excessive UV light intake can lead to cataracts and destroy your retina. It can even aid tissue growth over the cornea, thus leading to blindness. Sunglasses go a long way in this regard; especially those which block both UV-A and UV-B radiation, often completely.

Polarized lenses go a long way in reducing glare, especially in snowy areas or beaches. However, they cannot provide adequate UV protection. Though many see clearly through them, looking at closer objects, such as computer screens or smart-phones may become a harder task.

Contrary to popular belief, the color of the shades you wear hardly have any effect on the UV radiation entering your eyes. Just because it is darker, does not necessarily mean that your eyes are better protected. Often, when you wear darker sunglasses, you pupil widens, leading to a higher amount of light entering the eyes. This in turn allows more UV radiation into your eyes. UV protection comes from wearing sunglasses which are equipped with anti-UV ray lenses. So it is advisable to be careful while purchasing the same.