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Sunglasses – Sunscreen for Your Eyes

You know that too much ultraviolet radiation can damage the skin, but too much unfiltered sunlight can also harm your eyes by damaging the lens and even the retina.

So what is Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation?

Light travels through space in the form of waves at different wavelengths. UV waves have a great amount of radiant energy and are not part of the visible light spectrum. UV radiation is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum found between X-Rays and Visible Light. Some insects can see ultraviolet light but UV wavelengths are too short for the human eye to detect.

The three bands of UV light are: UV-A, UV-B and UVC:

• UV-A light is known as "dark-light" and, because of its longer wavelength, can penetrate most windows. It also penetrates deeper into the skin than UV-B light and is thought to be a prime cause of wrinkles. UV-A rays are a suspect in the development of cataracts, and might contribute to macular degeneration and aging of the retina.
  
  
• UV-B light is recognized as a harmful, destructive form of UV light that causes sunburn, skin cancer and damage to the eye including cataracts and macular degeneration.
  
  
• UV-C rays are the strongest, most dangerous type of ultraviolet light. However, UV-C rays are normally filtered out by the ozone layer and do not reach the Earth.

Sunlight damage to the eyes is cumulative and can cause both immediate and long-term consequences. Sunlight reflected off the surface of water, sand, snow or other bright objects reflects UV radiation to the eyes. Even on cloudy days, you are not safe from UV because the amount of UV transmitted is still significant  -- up to about 80% of its normal intensity.

100% Sun Protection
When purchasing sunwear, go for quality, proper fit and protection for your eyes. Inexpensive, off-the-rack sunglasses can actually cause more damage than not wearing anything at all. A dark pair of sunglasses may shade your eyes, but without the right protective coating they won’t block UV-A and UV-B rays from reaching your retina. In fact, some sunglasses are so dark that they will dilate the eyes thus exposing the retina to even more of the sun’s damaging rays.

To protect your eyes, look for sunglasses that provide 100% protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Make sure the frame covers your visual field – in the front and side vision areas. Remember that darker does not necessarily mean better. Lifestyle plays a part in selecting proper sunwear. You may need a pair for playing golf or tennis and a different pair for driving.

Eye Centers of Florida’s licensed opticians are sunwear experts who can help you select the highest quality sunglasses to fit your lifestyle.

Protective Sunwear for Dry Eye Sufferers
Panoptx® Dry EyeWear™ is designed to keep wind, dust and pollen completely away from your eyes. With their secure, snug wraparound fit, they have been likened to goggles but in the style of today’s sunglasses. They are an easy and effective solution to eliminating irritated and itchy eyes when you’re outside. Plus, they’re an effective sunglass solution for contact lens wearers.

Panoptx® Dry EyeWear™ is available with and without prescription depending on your unique needs. They take the place of your current sunglasses; Panoptx do not “fit over” your everyday glasses. Panoptx Dry EyeWear comes in a variety of styles and high-quality lenses including polarized and transition (that go from light to dark tint) for use inside and outdoors.

Ask your Eye Centers of Florida licensed optician for more information about Panoptx® Dry EyeWear™ or visit our Main Clinic in Fort Myers to try on a pair.