[Warning: Explicit Medical Images] The Harmful & Unavoidable Sun Damage To The Eyes From Wearing Fake, Non-UV, Sunglasses & How You Can Easily Protect Yourself
When exploring the aisles of bargain, convenience, and dollar stores during the peak sunny seasons, it is quite usual to encounter racks filled with inexpensive, “plano” sunglasses. These sunglasses, while often utilized for enhancing appearance and blocking the sun’s light, unfortunately fail to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV (ultraviolet) radiation. This lack of protection can lead to severe, sometimes irreversible, eye damage.
It is crucial to dispel the myth that an affordable price tag equates to inadequate UV protection. In reality, inexpensive sunglasses can still provide efficient shielding from UV rays. The key lies in knowing what features to look for when purchasing sunglasses to ensure proper UV protection. So, while keeping an eye on your budget, remember that cost should not be the primary factor guiding your decision; instead, focus on finding sunglasses with the right features to effectively safeguard your eyes from the sun’s damaging UV rays.
What Happens To Your Eyes After Wearing Fake, Non-UV Sunglasses In The Sun
The process of vision involves a complex interplay between light, our eyes, and our brain. A key component of this system is the pupil, the black circular opening in the center of our iris. The pupil’s primary function is to regulate the amount of light entering the eye, which is crucial for clear vision and the health of our internal ocular structures. This natural process is governed by a reflex that causes the pupil to dilate or widen in dim light, allowing more light to enter and improve visibility. Conversely, in bright light, the pupil constricts or shrinks, reducing the amount of light coming in and preventing the eye from being overwhelmed.
Interestingly, it’s not just ambient light that influences pupil dilation. When we wear dark-tinted sunglasses, a similar physiological response occurs. The darkened lens causes our eyes to perceive a lower light level, and consequently, the pupils dilate, as they would in a naturally darker environment. This dilation is a normal and automatic reaction, preparing the eye to receive more light.
However, here lies a potentially serious problem highlighted by Dr. Benjamin Bert, an ophthalmologist at Memorial Care Orange Coast Medical Center. As he notes, the greatest danger with using poor-quality sunglasses arises when the lenses are tinted for appearance but lack effective UV protection. While the tinting causes the pupils to dilate, welcoming more light, this also means that harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation can now easily stream into the eye.
UV radiation, a component of sunlight, can damage various parts of the eye, including the cornea, lens, and retina. Prolonged exposure can lead to a range of serious eye conditions like:
The Harmful Eye Damage From Little To No UV Protection
Pterygium (Surfer’s Eye): Tissue mass growth usually from the corner of the eye, extending to the cornea, causing very blurred vision.
Cataracts: Accumulation of protein causing cloudy areas over the lens of the eye – if left untreated causes total blindness.
Eye Cancer: Known as ocular melanoma, causing dark growth spots and vision loss (advanced ocular melanoma can cause blindness).
Pinguela: Fleshy, yellowish tissue growth on the whites of the eye (known as the sclera) – does not grow across the cornea.
Corneal Sunburn (Photokeratitis): Painful inflammation, followed by blurriness and headaches.
Macular Degeneration: Damaged retina, causing central vision loss (your side/peripheral vision remains normal).
Sources: [1] Healthline [2] American Academy Of Ophthalmology [3] All About Vision
The Solutions To Prevent Eye Damage From The Sun
- 100% UV Protection, UV 400 Sticker
Moran Eye Center ophthalmologist, Jeff Pettey, MD explains, “in particular, older sunglasses may not be as effective as you think. Most sunglasses today have UV protection embedded in the lens rather than coated over it, and most reputable brands list UV protection on their label. Look for a label that says 100% protection against both UVA and UVB or 100% protection against UV 400.” (400 nanometer wavelength)
The FDA clarifies that, “that are three types of sun rays: UVA, UVB and UVC – UVA and UVB rays are transmitted through the atmosphere, all UVC and some UVB rays are absorbed by the Earth’s ozone layer. So, most of the UV rays you come in contact with are UVA with a small amount of UVB.”
2. Polarized Lenses Do Not Protect From UV Radiation
Moran Eye Center ophthalmologist, Jeff Pettey, MD discloses that, “polarization has nothing to do with UV light absorption, but many polarized lenses are now combined with a UV-blocking substance. Check the label to make sure the lenses provide maximum UV protection. The same goes for lens color and tint, lens darkness, and mirror coating.”
3. The Bigger The Sunglass Lenses Are, The More Protection You Recieve
“Sunglasses should have the largest lenses possible to protect your eyes from sun damage. Consider buying oversized or wraparound-style sunglasses to limit UV rays from entering the sides of the glasses,” suggests Kierstan Boyd, Director of Patient Education, American Academy of Ophthalmology.
4. Super Quick UV Test At Your Optician’s Or Optometrist’s Office
“If you’re uncertain about your sunglasses—or those fun pairs you bought online—simply take them to an optical shop where they can be tested in a photometer. Most opticians will test them for free, and it takes less than 30 seconds.” suggests Jeff Pettey, MD.
Sources: [1] American Academy Of Ophthalmology [2] FDA [3] University Of Utah Health
Please note that this article, or any posts published on this website, is not intended to be a substitute for any medical diagnosis, advice or treatment – it’s always important for readers to consult with their medical healthcare professional.
