4 ways to protect your eyes from the sun

When it comes to protecting yourself from sun, it's not just your skin that you need to worry about. It's also your eyes.

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause cataracts and macular degeneration years after exposure, says B.J. Nibert, an optometric physician.  So it's critical to protect both yours and your children's eyes from these dangerous rays as soon as possible.

The American Optometric Association UV Protection and Eye Care panel offers these tips for keeping your families' eyes safe from the sun:

1.   Wear sunglasses: Even when it's cloudy. And cold weather doesn't let you off the hook, says Browning, who says you should always wear shades or other protective eyewear.  Ultraviolet radiation is actually worse in the winter, when it reflects off the snow. When there's snow on the ground, you have rays coming from above as well as below.

2.  Choose your lenses carefully: Make sure that your sunglasses block out 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B radiation and screen out 75 to 90 percent of the visible light.

Keep in mind that any lens that's made from polycarbonate will provide 100 percent ultraviolet protection, even if that lens is clear, Browning says.  The tint on the lenses is not as important, he adds, when it comes to preventing diseases like cataracts. The tint, however, could keep you from squinting, which would prevent wrinkles.

3.  Do what you can to shield your child's eyes: Make sure your child likes his or her sunglasses and will not keep pulling them off.  Worst case: If you can't persuade your child to wear glasses, try for a wide-brimmed hat. That can block up to 50 percent of the radiation.

4.  Get regular eye exams: Current recommendations call for adults to have an annual eye exam.  Children should be screened in the first year of life, at age 3, before they start school and every year after that.

Cover your eyes

When it comes to vision, the sun is packing heat, so your sunglasses need to do more than just look good

Summer's just around the corner, and it's not just your skin that needs attention. Your eyes deserve some TLC, too. Limited doses of sunshine are good for you – 10 to 15 minutes, twice a week is healthy, according to the National Institutes of Health – but prolonged exposure, especially to harmful UV rays, is not good for your skin or your eyes.

But let's face it, when you're in the market for a pair of shades, you're often choosing based on style instead of safety.

“People want what the celebrities are wearing,” says Stacy Pehau, a certified optician at Arena Eyeworks on Sports Arena Boulevard in San Diego. “They want fashion, not protection.”

Style at what price, though?

Prolonged unprotected exposure to the sun poses great danger to the cornea and increases the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and benign growths on the eye's surface known as pterygium, according to Dr. B. J. Nibert, an optometrist and  member of the American Optometric Association.

“If you are exposed to a lot of UV rays and you don't have sunglasses, you can have an immediate UV burn of your cornea, much like a welder's burn essentially,” Nibert says, referring to photokeratitis, which is a temporary but painful sunburn of the eye's surface.

“The other thing that people don't think about is skin cancer when it pertains to the eyelid,” says the Oak Hill WV-based optometrist. “Skin cancer is fairly common on the eyelid and the tissue around the eyes, so ample protection is equally important for that reason.”

Who can argue with a laundry list like that?

“Those $5 sunglasses you buy at the drugstore might be convenient,” Nibert says, “but they don't give you the kind of eye protection you need. They have the dark tint but not the UV protection you're looking for.”

That's not to say that affordable sunglasses – say, $20 ones – won't protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Price isn't really a good criteria to use when determining sunglass safety, according to the American Optometric Association. It's best to buy sunglasses from your eyecare professional or from stores that specialize in sunglasses. If you do purchase a pair and aren't sure of its protective properties, take it to your eye doctor to have the lenses' UV-protection rating measured. Sunglasses should block out 99 percent to 100 percent of UV rays.

As you prepare to enjoy the sunshine this summer, heed these useful tips that can help you guard your gaze:

EYE- SUN SAFETY TIPS

Wear protective eyewear any time your eyes are exposed to UV light, even on cloudy days.

Look for quality sunglasses that offer good protection. Sunglasses should block out 99 percent to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays and screen out 75 percent to 90 percent of visible light. There are three types of UV rays: A, B and C. UVC rays are harmless because they don't penetrate the atmosphere. UVB is what causes skin to burn, and it's long been known to be a major carcinogen. UVA does not burn the skin but tans it, it speeds up the aging process and has recently been identified as a contributing cause of skin cancer.

Labels touting UV protection are not regulated by the federal government, so it's best to consult your optometrist when buying sunglasses or purchase from a store specializes in sunglasses.

Check to make sure your sunglass lenses are perfectly matched in color and free of distortion and scratches. Any imperfections can let harmful rays through.

If you're looking to reduce glare, choose sunglasses with polarized lenses. For activities such as driving or boating, polarized lenses are a good choice to combat glare.

For impact protection, choose polycarbonate lenses. They are the most impact-resistant lenses you can buy, so they're perfect for people who want sunglasses while playing sports.

For added protection from bright light and UV radiation, opt for wraparound frames.

Don't forget protection for children and teenagers. They typically spend more time in the sun than adults.