Survey: Some people don't consider protection when buying sunglasses
| Saturday, Jul 17 2010 12:00 PM
Last Updated Saturday, Jul 17 2010 12:00 PM
Consumers should look for the following when buying sunglasses:
* Buy the glasses at an establishment that has equipment to check the lenses' UV protection capabilities.
* Make sure the tint is uniform, not darker in one area than another. Check that the lenses are free of distortion by holding them at arm's length, looking through them at a straight line in the distance and slowly moving the lens across the line. If the straight edge distorts or sways, the lens has imperfections.
* Put the lenses on in front of a mirror to be sure they block enough light. If you can see your eyes easily through the lenses, they're probably not dark enough. This test does not apply to photochromic (light-sensitive) lenses.
* Look for glasses that block at least 99 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation and screen out between 75 to 90 percent of visible light.
Source: American Optometric Association
The bright, hot California sun can be brutal on the eyes.
Drivers squint through their windshields. Long-term exposure has been linked to vision problems later in life. It's no wonder so many people wear sunglasses, whether they're running a quick errand or spending a day on the beach.
But are those lenses providing the protection they should? A new survey suggests that, even if harmful ultraviolet rays are seeping through, some people aren't too concerned.
Only one-third of Americans consider UV protection the most important factor when buying sunglasses, the survey by the American Optometric Association found. Style, price, comfort and lens color were more important to some respondents.
The survey, conducted May 21 through May 24 last year, involved interviewing 1,000 Americans 18 years and older who embodied a nationally representative sample of the general population, according to the association. It was created and commissioned in conjunction with Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates, a market research and consulting firm.
Safety comes first, said Dr. Daniel Chang, a Bakersfield ophthalmologist. He recommends people buy sunglasses with the highest UV protection possible, blocking at least 99 percent of UV radiation.
Sustained, long-term exposure to UV rays has been linked to the development of growths on the cornea, which can blur or obstruct vision and cause irritation, Chang said.
"I see it in a lot of field workers and people in construction," he said.
There's also a possible connection between UV rays and macular degeneration, the No. 1 cause of irreversible blindness in people 65 or older, Chang said.
The dangers of UV rays have been known for years, but some people don't seem to consider protecting their eyes as important as their skin, certified optician Michael Raney said.
"People will put on sunscreen but have nothing covering their eyes," he said.
Eye safety should be treated with the same concern as skin safety, said Andrew Gonzalez, another local certified optician. He said some people may not be aware of the risks to their vision.
Choosing sunglasses with the proper protection can be a guessing game without the right equipment. Some expensive brands may not block enough UV rays, while there are some $20 glasses that can provide a high level protection a person needs, Raney said.
How to tell good from bad? Many eye care centers have meters that gauge how much protection lenses are providing, Raney said. He's tested lenses that purportedly had high levels of protection but were revealed to block less rays than advertised.
Gonzalez doesn't knock over-the-counter glasses, because some provide proper UV buffers. He recommended, however, that people visit a certified optician who can guarantee quality lenses and dispense detailed information on them.
Both Raney and Gonzalez spoke highly of polarized lenses. In addition to cutting UV rays, they reduce glare. That should result in safer driving.
And it's just not adults who should sport eye protection, Raney said. Children -- who often spend large amounts of time outdoors -- should also be taught proper eye care.
Spend a little time and money and give your eyes some relief. Especially in this city, Raney said.
"Around Bakersfield it's very bright, and we do recommend having some form of UV protection," he said.
