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Published on July 23, 2019 at 12:30 / Updated on December 17, 2021 at 2:15

The weather we have been waiting for has arrived and we can finally enjoy the terraces and the joys of summer sports. You probably know that hot sunlight does not only have positive effects: exposure to UV rays can, of course, damage the skin, but did you know that the eyes can also suffer from it?

Reasons why you should protect your eyes from the sun

Prolonged exposure to UV rays can damage the cornea and conjunctiva, two internal structures of the eye. The cumulative effects of UV radiation also contribute to the development of certain eye diseases, particularly cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, a major cause of vision loss after the age of 60 years.

To help you choose the right sunglasses for your needs, here are some tips.

Protection against UV rays from the sun

The shade and opacity of the sunglass lenses do not guarantee good protection against the sun's UV rays. Indeed, the fact that glasses are tinted does not mean that they block UV rays.  Make sure that the label mentions protection against both UVA and UVB rays.

Do you have to pay a lot to get good sunglasses?

Proper eye protection is not necessarily very expensive: several models of sunglasses can easily be found at affordable prices, and they stop 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays. In order to be effective, the glasses must also fit the shape of the face well.

Lens tints

Choosing the tint is mainly a matter of preference: if you want a lens that doesn't change colours much, choose a grey or green tint. Brown tints are a good choice to increase contrasts. Pastel colors (blue, pink, yellow or orange) tend to cause colour distortion.

For glare reduction, polarized lenses can also be used. Since this feature is independent of tint intensity, paler glasses can also protect against glare if they are polarized.

Medication intake: watch out for the sun

Finally, if you are taking medications that make your body more sensitive to the sun's effects, such as certain antibiotics or hormones, pay special attention to sun protection (sunscreen, hat, glasses, etc.). If you are not sure if your medications make you more sensitive to the sun's effects, discuss it with your pharmacist.

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