veryone knows that sunglasses are
recommended. However, have
you ever stopped to consider why? Some
people are very sensitive to sunlight and
cannot imagine being out in the sun
without sunglasses. Others feel that they
are unnecessary and may even interfere
with clear vision. The truth is, the sun emits
harmful rays. Let’s look at how the sun
negatively affects our eyes:
Ultraviolet light is high energy light that
can cause damage to human tissue. UV
affects mostly the eyelids and the front
half of the eyes. Cataracts, skin cancer,
corneal and conjunctival damage, and
other chronic conditions of the eye can
be linked to UV exposure.
Blue light is a high energy light, slightly
longer in wavelength compared to UV,
that can cause damage to the back
half of the eyes. Changes in the retina,
especially the macula, can be linked to
blue light exposure. With the increase of
electronics and LED lighting, blue light
has recently become more discussed in
the media as something to be concerned
about at any age.
Glare is a common problem that is caused
by wavelengths of light being scattered
and washing out color saturation. This
is of special concern while driving.
Fishermen and photographers have
known for years about the benefits of
polarization. As more people experience
polarization in their sunglasses, it has
become associated with high quality
sunwear. Anyone who drives a vehicle will
see the benefits of polarized lenses.
Sensitivity and eyestrain often go
untreated because many just accept it as
normal. Individuals with blue or green
eyes will have more sensitivity to the
sun than those with brown eyes. The
reason for this is that those with blue
or green eyes have less pigment in the
eyes. A degenerative disease known as
macular degeneration is more prevalent
with people who have less pigment.
Even though everyone should be
concerned about sun damage to their
eyes, those who have sensitive eyes tend
to be more inclined to see the necessity
of wearing sunglasses.
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Why Wear Sunglasses?
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22 FARRAGUT LIFE SUMMER 2019