Much more than solely a fashion statement, sunglasses serve an important purpose of protecting our eyes from UV rays. Learn more about sunglasses and various points to keep in mind when purchasing your pair of shades.
Sunglasses: You see people wearing them everywhere, especially in the summertime. You see them in numerous different styles; some clearly designed for function and others for fashion. However, many people do not give much thought to the function of sunglasses; why they became so prevalent, and why they should be worn.
For almost a hundred years now, sunglasses have been commonly worn to protect the eyes against bright sunlight, and as a fashion accessory. More recently, as we’ve learned, the real danger from sunlight is in fact the UV (ultraviolet) light, which is invisible to the naked eye. So, today, the sunglasses that you should be buying for yourself or your children need to provide proper UV protection.
UV protection is the most important function of sunglasses. Too much exposure to UV light can lead to numerous issues, many of which can be quite serious, with the eyes and the skin around them. These conditions include, but are not limited to, cataracts, macular degeneration, and cancers in both the eyes and the sensitive skin around them.
Just because a pair of sunglasses has dark lenses does not mean they will protect you; in fact, dark lenses without proper UV protection coating can lead to your eyes absorbing more UV rays, since the pupils dilate in a darker environment to let more light in.
In order to ensure the sunglasses you purchase provide adequate protection from UV rays, make sure they are labeled as providing 99 or 100 percent protection. Sunglasses that provide this level of protection are often labelled UV400.
The size and configuration of the lenses also plays a role in protecting your eyes. Larger lenses will, naturally, provide a greater area coverage, not just for the eyes but the skin around them. Additionally, sunglasses that “wrap around” the eyes to some extent (seen most often in designs aimed at people who plan to use them while playing sports or working outdoors) can prevent additional UV rays from reaching the eyes from different angles.
Additionally, sunglasses, as with any other form of eye protection, can help limit how much dust or other sorts of particles in your vicinity from reaching your eyes.
It is easy to rationalize forgoing sunglasses for children; after all, they are more likely to lose or break them while playing, and may resist wearing them in general. However, it is perhaps more important for children to wear them than adults.
Children’s eyes are still developing, and they have less natural protection against UV rays. Additionally, due to the simple fact that they’re shorter than adults, they tend to look up more, putting themselves more in the path of direct sunlight.
Studies have shown that as much as 80 percent of a person’s lifetime UV exposure comes before age 18, since children tend to spend more time outdoors (and without proper protection.) If that level of exposure can be reduced through the wearing of eye protection, you can drastically reduce the chances of problems later in life.
While protection against UV radiation is the primary benefit of wearing sunglasses, it is not the only one. As mentioned earlier, they can provide some protection against dust and debris in the air, and can protect the eyes from dry air (particularly helpful to those suffering from dry eye).
Sunglasses with polarized lenses can also provide very high levels of protection against glare (note that polarized lenses does not necessarily mean they will also protect against UV rays). This can be particularly helpful for those working outdoors, especially if they’re on the water or in an area with many reflective surfaces. Reflective surfaces, including snow, can lead to your eyes being exposed to significantly higher levels of UV radiation, in addition to momentarily blinding you.
Through darkening what you see by filtering out a portion of the light around you, sunglasses with polarized lenses can also help increase visual clarity and reduce eye strain when out in bright light.
Sunglasses can also be a great fashion accessory, especially with so many style options available.
Few things in this world lack drawbacks, and sunglasses are no exception to that rule. There are some tasks that can be made more difficult by the wearing of sunglasses. These include looking at LCD screens, such as those on phones or ATM machines. Additionally, if your sunglasses do not include a reflective coating on the rear side of the lenses (which is something you can ask our optometrist about), the lenses themselves can reflect light, including UV rays, into your eyes.
If you regularly wear prescription glasses, you can also purchase prescription sunglasses, so there is no need to lose the advantages of your prescription lenses while out and about in the sun.
Remember to know what you’re buying. As mentioned above, sunglasses need to provide at least 99 percent protection against UV rays to be considered effective protection. Additionally, just because lenses are polarized does not mean they will protect you against UV, and just because they protect against UV, does not mean they are polarized and will protect against glare. Sunglasses in stores should be labeled as per their qualifications, and if you are uncertain, your optometrist will be able to help guide you to the most reliable brands. Remember that they are also available to answer any other questions you might have about proper eye protection.
Sunglasses are far more than a stylish fashion accessory; they are protection for your eyes. In particular, they protect your eyes from harmful UV radiation, which leads to better health for them--and for you overall--in the future. Especially for children, who spend more time outdoors, on average, than adults, it’s important that they wear proper eye protection. Before making purchases, it is also important to understand the features of different types of lenses so you get the protection that you need.
I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered. This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.
Love this location. I had a brain injury accident from day one one. All the team make you feel you still important and hope in the horizon after when the medical system fell you miserably. Dr. Ikeda very professional and very understanding about your issue. Two tombs up.
My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy. She (Chris) is absolutely great. I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision. I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc). Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her. The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!
The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.
I have been coming here since I can remember. I love it here. The staff is so amazing and nice. They explain everything they gonna do and never make you feel rushed. Dr. Ikeda has always been my doctor and I would never want another one. He is the doctor for my whole family and is always asking how everyone is doing. I am also so crazy about picking out my frames and have to try so many and each person who helps me take the time and lets me try them all on. I would never want to go anywhere else! I definitely would recommend this office to anyone looking for a great eye doctor.
This is not for the eye exam but for the frames selection portion. I brought my prescription from Kaiser here with my VSP insurance. The reception staff was very polite and professional. Manny helped me to pick out frames and explain my coverage. Very helpful and patient not like the individual at the other place I rated here on Yelp. I was running late and he still helped me and was not bothered at all. I am so glad I came here ..........very pleased.
Very professional staff and pleasant.
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