Summer's almost here, and it's not just your skin
that needs attention. Your eyes deserve some TLC, too. Limited
doses of sunshine are good for you - 10 to 15 minutes, twice a
week is healthy, according to the National Institutes of
Health, but prolonged exposure,
especially to harmful UV rays, is not good for your skin or
your eyes.
But let's face it, when you're
in the market for a pair of shades, you're often choosing
based on style instead of safety.
MAKE SURE YOUR EYES HAVE IT - When it comes to
protecting your vision from the sun's harmful rays, make sure
your sunglasses do more than just look good. CNS Photo by
Nelvin C. Cepeda.
SUNGLASSES - Other keyword: Rays,
ultraviolet, UVA, UVB, cornea, retina, Food and Drug
Administration, UV400
"People want what the
celebrities are wearing," says Stacy Pehau, a certified
optician in San Diego. "They want fashion, not protection."
Style at what price, though?
Prolonged unprotected
exposure to the sun poses great danger to the cornea and
increases the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and
benign growths on the eye's surface known as pterygium,
according to Dr. Kerry L. Beebe, an optometrist and chair of
the American Optometric Association's clinical-care
committee.
"If you are exposed to a lot
of UV rays and you don't have sunglasses, you can have an
immediate UV burn of your cornea, much like a welder's burn
essentially," Beebe says, referring to photokeratitis, which
is a temporary but painful sunburn of the eye's surface.
"The other thing that people
don't think about is skin cancer when it pertains to the
eyelid," says the Brainerd, Minn.-based optometrist. "Skin
cancer is fairly common on the eyelid and the tissue around
the eyes, so ample protection is equally important for that
reason."
Who can argue with a laundry
list like that?
"Those $5 sunglasses you buy
at the drugstore might be convenient," Pehau says, "but they
don't give you the kind of eye protection you need. They
have the dark tint but not the UV protection you're looking
for."
That's not to say that
affordable sunglasses - say, $20 ones - won't protect your
eyes from harmful UV rays. Price isn't really a good
criteria to use when determining sunglass safety, according
to the American Optometric Association. It's best to buy
sunglasses from your eyecare professional or from stores
that specialize in sunglasses. If you do purchase a pair and
aren't sure of its protective properties, take it to your
eye doctor to have the lenses' UV-protection rating
measured. Sunglasses should block out 99 percent to 100
percent of UV rays.
- Wear protective eyewear any time your eyes are exposed to
UV light, even on cloudy days.
- Look for quality sunglasses that offer good protection.
Sunglasses should block out 99 percent to 100 percent of both
UVA and UVB rays and screen out 75 percent to 90 percent of
visible light. There are three types of UV rays: A, B and C. UVC
rays are harmless because they don't penetrate the atmosphere.
UVB is what causes skin to burn, and it's long been known to be
a major carcinogen. UVA does not burn the skin but tans it, it
speeds up the aging process and has recently been identified as
a contributing cause of skin cancer.
- Labels touting UV protection are not regulated by the
federal government, so it's best to consult your optometrist
when buying sunglasses or purchase from a store specializes in
sunglasses.
- Check to make sure your sunglass lenses are perfectly
matched in color and free of distortion and scratches. Any
imperfections can let harmful rays through.
- If you're looking to reduce glare, choose sunglasses with
polarized lenses. For activities such as driving or boating,
polarized lenses are a good choice to combat glare.
- For impact protection, choose polycarbonate lenses. They
are the most impact-resistant lenses you can buy, so they're
perfect for people who want sunglasses while playing sports.
- For added protection from bright light and UV radiation,
opt for wraparound frames.
- Don't forget protection for children and teenagers. They
typically spend more time in the sun than adults.
READY FOR SUMMER
Here are some of the hottest brands:
- Calvin Klein R540S: Large silver-gray, plastic frames give
this pair from Calvin Klein a retro feel. The smoky-gray lens
offers 100 percent UV protection. $68.
- Chanel 5125: For classic lines, check out Chanel's 5125,
which features a boxy shape in dark, retro thick frames. The
solid gray tint blocks out sunlight but doesn't affect color
vision. $250-$340.
- Armani Exchange AX071/S: This sleek pair from Armani
Exchange, with shiny black frames, offers UV-ray protection, and
the wraparound style has the added bonus of extra protection
from the sides. $70.
- Oakley Flak Jacket: Active? Go for Oakley's sporty Flak
Jacket. It's high-tech not only in the way it looks but in the
way it was produced. Using Oakley's trademarked Hydrophobic
lens, these glasses have a coating that prevents water from
leaving streaks - think Rain-X for your shades. Smudges from
skin oils and suntan lotions are easily wiped away, leaving no
residue. $140-$195.
- Maui Jim Splash 577: The rimless, lightweight Maui Jim
Splash shades are suitable for rugged outdoor activities. The
gray-tinted lenses are polarized, too. $189.
- Chanel 4145: If you're looking for a stylish way to block
rays, try Chanel's 4145 sleek and rimless shield sunglasses.
It's a wraparound for ultimate eye protection and has
dark-to-light brown gradiation for reading. $378-$410.
- Maui Jim Akoni 117: The brown-colored lenses of Maui Jim's
Akoni 117 are polarized - as are the rest of the Maui Jim line -
for glare-reduction. This pair evokes the classic aviator style.
$259.
- Flexon 623S: For those looking for smaller lenses, Flexon's
623S is a good choice. Polarized lenses are encased in tortoise
brown frames. $150-$226.
