(www.PreserveMacForte.com) Exposure to sunlight, specifically the ultra violet rays from the sun, could ultimately lead to eye ailments such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), reported The Chicago Daily Herald recently.
According to the article, Harvard Medical School noted that, while it’s difficult to outright avoid the sun, people can take some simple steps to protect their eyes. Sunglasses is one way, and getting a pair neither needs to cost hundreds of dollars nor needs to be a popular designer brand.
According to the article, sunglasses are labeled based on their capacity to protect against UV. The guidelines come courtesy of the American National Standards Institute.
The article noted that the following are the two types of UV light that can harm eye health:
- UVA, which can cause skin tanning and aging
- UVB, which is connected to skin cancer and sunburn
While getting a good pair of sunglasses in critical to eye healthy, people need to know what to look for before they actually head out and buy a pair. The report noted that buyer’s need to check out the ANSI label and abandon the notion that all suitable options need cost a lot of money.
Some options include the following:
Cosmetic: This category consists of glasses with lightly tinted lenses. Suitable for daily use, cosmetic types block around 70% of UVB rays, 60% of visible light and 20% of UVA.
General purpose: This category of sunglasses comes with lenses that are range from medium to dark. Suitable for outdoor activities, general purpose types block 95% of UVB, 60 to 90% of visible light and 60% of UVA. According to the article, the majority of sunglasses fit in the general purpose category.
Special purpose: This category on sunglasses features very dark lenses that include UV blockers. Special purpose sunglasses are particularly useful for people going to places with bright conditions such as a day at the beach. These types of lenses block 99% of UVB, 97% of visible light and 60% of UVA.
Meanwhile, the article noted that darker lenses won’t necessarily block more UV rays than lighter lenses. People who want to be sure can always consult their eye doctor to get a recommendation for the right pair of sunglasses for them.
Reference: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130603/entlife/706039985/