As the name indicates, sunglasses are usually used to protect you from sunlight. If your eyes are over-exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, you would have serious eye problems that may not become apparent until you are much older. Generally, the young are more susceptible to sun exposure than the old because they spend more time outdoors.
You should wear sunglasses under the sun, especially at midday when UV rays are most intense. People’s eyes are more susceptible to UV-related skin cancer than other parts of the body, so that extra protection is very essential. Many studies show that UV rays cause cataracts and also damage the cornea. People who don’t wear sunglasses or brimmed hats are prone to suffer cataracts. Short-wavelength visible light (sometimes called “blue light”) has slightly less energy, but it may lead to macular degeneration. Because tanning lamps also transmit UV rays, you’d better use the protective eyewear because regular sunglasses don’t provide adequate protection against multi-directional UV rays in tanning booths.
Eyeglasses with no anti-UV coatings can not protect your eyes from the UV rays as the sunglases.
Besides direct sunlight, you should also pay attention to the reflected sunlight and UV rays. When you are near surfaces that reflect UV rays, make sure you have wore sunglasses. Reflective surfaces include water, snow, sand, roadways, and glass and so on. Polarized lenses can selectively block reflected lights with special lens material. Certain medications such as antibiotics make people sensitive to sunlight. In this case, sunglasses are particularly helpful.
Compared with the sunny day, UV protection during cloudy days is also important. Though UV rays may be less intense, they can still be harmful. Regular glasses and contact lenses are different. Sunglasses can not only block UV rays, but also shield your eyes from wind and dust. So even if you have contacts, a pair of non-prescription sunglasses is still needed in some situations.
Choosing the suitable sunglasses is a big task. Fortunately, sunglasses which provide excellent UV filters are not always expensive. It means that UV protection is not closely related to the price of sunglasses. As UV protection is separated from the color of the lens, you can choose the color based on personal tastes. If you require acute vision, brown lenses can be your choice which can enhance contrast. But you should be aware that some traffic light colors will be covered by the lens color. Besides, you need to take darkness of the lens (density) into account. On bright days, dark sunglass lenses are more helpful.