Sunglasses recommended for outdoors

Do you know the vital role that sunglasses play in protecting your eyes? The latest sunglasses are more than a fashion accessory for savvy women and men of all ages; they have become increasingly important for individuals involved in outdoor sports and for those who spend time in the sun. During the last year, some innovative green lenses have been introduced that not only protect the eyes from UV (ultraviolet) light, but may also improve a golfer’s game, including his/her putting, by increasing the contrast while reducing the reflections back into the eye.

According to the experts at Lighthouse International, sunglasses prevent damage to the eyes from the sun that could be permanent, keeping certain wavelengths of light from entering the eye. Among their many attributes, they can reduce the amount of light entering the eye, protect against harmful UV light, decrease glare and increase contrast. For these reasons, the Lighthouse urges everyone to don a pair of sunglasses (also called absorptive lenses or filters) whenever they are outdoors - and particularly, during long hours spent in the intense summer sun.

As recent research underscores, people who spend excessive hours in the summer sun may have an increased risk in later life of developing age-related eye conditions such as macular degeneration. Moreover, prolonged exposure to UV light has been linked to other eye conditions, including cataracts and corneal problems.

“The thinning ozone layer of the earth’s atmosphere has resulted in increased levels of UV light, leading to changes in the eye, as well as various types of skin cancers,” explained Bruce P. Rosenthal, OD, chief of low vision programs at Lighthouse International. “To prevent irreversible damage to the eyes that may lead to conditions such as macular degeneration, people of all ages should wear sunglasses, as well as hats or visors. This is particularly important for those involved in outdoor sports and for infants.”

Here, from the experts at Lighthouse International, is advice for selecting sunglasses that will help to safeguard your vision:

• A dark lens does not necessarily have UV protection. The key characteristic to look for is an indication that the lenses absorb 99 to 100 percent of UV light, particularly UV-B. An ultraviolet-blocking coating can also be placed on any lens, regardless of the degree of tint. However, a coating does not block as much UV light as the protective lens.

• Whether or not you have vision problems, you may have difficulty adapting to abrupt changes in light levels, such as when entering a movie theater. Wearing sunglasses outdoors will help to decrease the adjustment time indoors. For those with a vision impairment, without the use of absorptive lenses (sunglasses), it may take from five to 30 minutes to adjust to lighting changes.

• If you have a vision impairment, speak with your eye care professional or low vision specialist (optometrist or ophthalmologist) to learn which sunglasses best suit your needs. Absorptive lenses come in a wide array of tints, with varying degrees of light transmission. They are available in various designs that can fit over your glasses, slip behind regular glasses, clip on or flip up.

If you or anyone you know would like more information about selecting sunglasses that are right for you, or would like to locate an eye doctor specializing in low vision in your area, call Lighthouse International's toll-free number at 1-800-829-0500 or visit visionconnection.org/content/helpnearyou/.

Lighthouse International is a leading resource worldwide on vision impairment and vision rehabilitation. Through its pioneering work in vision rehabilitation services, education, research, prevention and advocacy, Lighthouse International enables people of all ages who are blind or partially sighted to lead independent and productive lives. Headquartered in New York, Lighthouse International is a not-for-profit organization, and depends on the support and generosity of individuals, foundations and corporations.