Sunglasses are not only an attractive styling element, but most importantly an essential eye protection.
Glass color matters
It’s worth knowing that the most visually attractive glasses with black-tinted lenses are not always the best solution. It is the black that makes the pupil of the eye dilate so much that much more UV rays enter the eye than if our glasses had lenses tinted brown, gray or green.
Amber brown is best at stopping blue light, responsible for the most intense sensation of glare. Glare is a condition in which a person experiences a distinct visual discomfort or their ability to recognize details is reduced. A sheet of water can reflect up to 85-95% of UV rays, as can a slope of snow. Glare experienced through both sources of reflection can even result in damage to the retina or cornea! The most difficult hours for our eyes are 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Early morning and the so-called “golden hour” is a completely different, mild light.
On the other hand, glasses with gray or green glasses make it easier to judge distances correctly, those with yellow and orange glasses improve visual contrast on a cloudy day, but also just after dusk.
Properly selected sunglasses, that is, glasses with a good filter, protect against excessive UV rays entering the eye, and thus protect against the development of eye diseases such as common conjunctivitis, but also much more serious ones such as winged eye, macular degeneration and melanoma.
- Glasses with a UV filter of 4 allow only 3 to 8 percent of light to pass through – these are recommended for those engaged in water sports in the summer, and for those going to high snowy mountains in winter
- Eyeglasses with a UV filter of 3 are a transmittance of no more than 18 percent – these are recommended for all those who take care of their eyes on a daily basis
- Polarized filter glasses reduce the risk of glare, which is particularly dangerous when driving or playing sports, among other things
Watch out for contact lenses!
Contact lens wearers should be particularly scrupulous about hygiene in summer and frequently moisturize their eyes with special drops with sodium hyaluronate, so-called artificial tears. During hot weather, on the beach, it is easy to blur the eye, to get particles of sand or sunscreen under the lens. A damaged lens is not suitable for use, it can injure the delicate mucous membrane of the eye. Also when swimming, swimming goggles will be necessary to prevent the contact lenses from being washed out and the eyes from being irritated by sea salt or pool chlorine.
Eat healthy
In summer, it’s a good idea to reach for natural sources of lutein and zeaxanthin – carotenoids that are found in the retina and protect its capillaries. These carotenoids also protect the macula: they absorb excess sunlight, so they are called natural eye filters. They can be found in all dark green vegetables and egg yolks, among others. Vegetables and fruits containing vitamins C (citrus, parsley, broccoli, sauerkraut) and E (nuts, avocados) are also good for the eyes. It has also been proven that omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish such as mackerel, salmon and sardines have a positive effect on nerve cells in the retina – so if you spend the summer by the sea, include them in your diet.
