RALEIGH — After a brief cloud-filled, cool-down of a day, the heat of the summer is back and in full effect. And while we know it’s important to slather on the sunscreen, experts say it’s equally import to protect other parts of our body from sun exposure.  

Dr. Caroline Silver with MyEyeDr. of Cary, sat down with Spectrum News anchor Caroline Blair to offer tips on what kind of protective eye wear to choose on this National Sunglasses Day.  

Dr. Silver says you may not realize it, but years or even short bursts of prolonged UV exposure can cause temporary and long term effects on our eyes.  According to The Vision Council, the most common symptoms of sun exposure in American adults is irritation to the eye (15.5%), trouble seeing (13.5%), wrinkles around the eyes (8.3%), swollen or red eyes (2.5%), and cancer on or around the eyes (0.6%).  

But she says sunglasses are a key way to decrease our chances of having any of these symptoms, especially helping prevent cancer. 

In recognition of National Sunglasses Day, MyEyeDr. offers the following common misconceptions they hear from their patients that can pose risks for our vision:  

“It’s cloudy today, I’ll be fine just squinting.”

UV rays are just as dangerous on cloudy days as they are on clear days. Just like skin, eyes can accumulate harmful UV radiation on overcast days. If spending time outside is in the forecast, it’s important to ensure eyes are protected. Avoid RSF with a fun wraparound style to shield the whole eye and the skin around them.

“It’s summer, time to break out the sunglasses.”

Similar to cloudy days, UV risks exist even in cold weather. The sun is present year-round, which means UV rays are a constant regardless of the temperature. UV rays can’t be seen, but their long-term effects are extremely damaging to the eyes. While we celebrate National Sunglasses Day in June, it’s important to sport the shades all year round. And, for summer days spent lounging by the pool, cruising on a boat or laying on the beach, consider special polarized lenses to reduce glare from the water’s reflection in intense sunlight.

“All sunglasses protect your eyes.”

Despite the health risks of UV exposure, not all sunglasses have quality UV protection. Since UV protection is crucial to shielding eyes from damaging radiation, it is imperative to look for a label, sticker or tag indicating UV protection before purchasing a pair of sunglasses and purchase from a reputable provider.

“As long as sunglasses have dark lenses, they’ll work.”

UV protection has nothing to do with the color of the lens. Wearing sunglasses with dark lenses and inadequate UV protection can actually be worse than wearing no sunglasses at all. Because darker lenses cause the eye’s pupil to dilate, eyes are more exposed to unfiltered UV.

“I only wear sunglasses when I drive.”

While only 68.6 percent of American adults report wearing sunglasses while driving, it is important to sport the suns during any exposure to natural light, including when casually spending time outdoors, relaxing near a body of water, watching a sporting event or participating in an outdoor activity. If you require vision correction, prescription sunglasses offer a great choice to ensure you are seeing clearly and protecting eyes from harmful UV rays.

Above courtesy: MyEyeDr. 

Dr. Silver says choosing the right sunglasses is key for proper eye protection.  She says that the key ingredients to be on the lookout for are proper UV filter, polarized lens treatment, and backside anti-glare coating that can help protect you from the suns harmful glare.  She also says it’s key to schedule an annual eye exam to make sure your vision health is up to date.