Vision & Age
Sunglasses
The Bright Side
Sunglasses are far more than a fashion statement; they are the ultimate health statement. Why? Ultraviolet (UV) light. It comes in two wavelengths, UVA and UVB. Both can cause severe damage. UV the kind that causes skin to age—is a suspected cause of cataracts and may lead to macular degeneration. UVB—the kind that causes skin cancer can actually burn the cornea.
Not only is youth no protection, but photosensitizing drugs, like
tetracycline, can make your eyes particularly sun-sensitive. So for outdoor
activities, always wear sunglasses that absorb 99-100% of the full UV spectrum.
Bear in mind that on a sunny day, that may still only be 50% of the actual UV
rays, since light enters all around the sunglasses, and wear a brimmed hat too.
You'll look just like a movie star.
