Sunglasses are an important accessory – not only for the fashion, but more importantly, for protection. This summer, focus on wearing sunglasses while spending time outdoors. A Baylor College of Medicine ophthalmologist explains the benefits of sunglasses in the summertime and year-round. 

“When we’re outside, there’s a lot of ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) from the sun, and those UV rays can damage different parts of the eye,” said Dr. Masih Ahmed, assistant professor of ophthalmology at Baylor.

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Sunglasses are crucial for long-term eye health, and failing to wear them can result in damage. Short-term UV exposure can worsen dry eye or lead to photokeratitis, which is almost like a sunburn on the front of the eye. This occurs when spending ample time in the sun and looking toward the sky, and it typically resolves over time. Long-term damage from UV rays include faster progression of cataracts and macular degeneration, as well as pterygia (tissue growth on the front surface of the eye), which can affect vision. UV-blocking sunglasses help lower the risk of developing these conditions. 

When purchasing sunglasses, the most important quality is that they are 100% UV-blocking. Ahmed also recommends getting glasses that give fuller coverage because light can penetrate the sides of glasses. Polarization is especially important when on the water or snow due to the glare from each surface. When glasses are not polarized, light comes into the glasses in a horizontal and vertical direction. Polarized glasses help limit light from one direction, which reduces glare.

“If you have polarized lenses and look at your computer or phone screen, you’ll notice that those screens don’t look normal and are harder to read. That’s because it’s blocking out light in one direction, limiting what you see,” he said. 

When the sky is overcast, there are still UV rays, so sunglasses can be helpful for protection. Sunglasses are not necessary at night or with considerable cloud coverage.

“When people are outside doing lawn work and gardening – especially in the summertime – sunglasses that are made of a polycarbonate material can act like a safety glass, so they give the added benefit of protecting you from things flying in your eye while mowing the lawn or working in your yard,” Ahmed said.