Slipping on the right pair of shades can make you feel celebrity cool. But don't lose sight of this: Sunglasses are much more than a fashion statement. Their main purpose is to protect your eyes from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can cause cataracts and macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. To choose wisely, remember these tips:
Keep it 100. Look for a tag that says the sunglasses block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Low-cost glasses with this UV protection will work just as well as expensive ones.
Go big. Oversized and wraparound shades help block UV rays from the side. And that can mean less sun damage to your eyes.
Know what matters. Dark lenses, tints and mirror coatings may make you feel more glamourous. But they don't affect UV protection. Always check the label to be sure.
Watson Clinic's
Optometry department carefully measures and fits contact lens and eyeglass prescriptions for maximum comfort, visual acuity and health. Patients can also choose from the latest inventory of optical wear in our in-house
optical shop, which is conveniently located on the same floor as the Optometry department. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call 863-680-7486 or
click here.
Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology; National Eye Institute