Beatrice Voiculescu, ophthalmologist See, spoke in an interview Ziare.com about how to choose sunglasses.
The specialist explained to us why we should not be deceived by those who look very good, but also how they protect our lenses depending on the color.
How do we choose sunglasses?
If in the past sunglasses were chosen as a fashionable accessory, now they are chosen as a necessity, because the lenses offer protection against strong light and against UV radiation.
Sunglasses should be chosen according to individual needs: the type of activity (skiing, beach, driving), the material of the lenses (plastic or glass), the color of the lenses (important in the very good differentiation of contrasts) and also to have a harmony between the shape of the face and the shape of the frame (for example: for a round face, rectangular frames are more suitable).
What are the dangers of cosmetic sunglasses, bought from non-specialized stores?
Unfortunately, if we choose them by ear, from non-specialized stores, only by color or shape, the dangers are great, because they may lack UV protection. In some cases, cheap plastic lenses even come with diopters, affecting a person who doesn’t need them.
Smoky lenses are not a sign of UV protection. It is not the color that offers protection, but a quality lens. Such sunglasses, with smoky lenses, block only part of the light.
Under these conditions, the pupil dilates and a greater amount of ultraviolet radiation penetrates which is very harmful to the eyes.
Glasses – as a necessity, adornment or fad
Do sunglasses that do not offer protection against UV do more harm?
Sunglasses without UV protection cause the eyes to be exposed to prolonged exposure to UV radiation causing cataracts, macular degeneration, pinguecula and pterygium. They do more harm because the smoky lens dilates the pupil, and a greater amount of UV radiation will enter the eyes.
Are there any signs that must be found on good quality glasses? What should we pay attention to in order not to be fooled?
Sunglasses should only be purchased from medical optics stores, which only bring models from official, optically controlled distributors.
In this way the buyer has the guarantee that all quality standards are met.
The glasses must bear the “CE” marking (according to EU regulations), the level of radiation protection, the name and address of the manufacturer, as well as the instructions for use and cleaning of the lenses.
Watch out for sunglasses that have the inscription “Cosmetic”; they usually do not provide any information about the level of UV protection.
Make sure you feel good with your glasses and don’t just look good! The glasses should not be too big / too small or too heavy.
What can eyeglass wearers do in the summer?
Those who wear eyeglasses should be the most careful when wearing sunglasses. There is a habit that I discourage, from wearing sunglasses over eyeglasses: I risk scratching the lenses and the frame.
For those who have vision problems it is recommended:
1. Switch to contact lenses that can be easily worn with sunglasses.
2. Purchase of magnetic clip-on lenses, with UV protection, which can be attached to the glasses when we go out.
3. Buy a pair of sunglasses with diopters. It is the most expensive of the three, but for the visually impaired it is an investment worth making so you can walk on the street on a very sunny day and see everything around you.
People with vision problems should have quality sunglasses to ensure adequate eye protection, not necessarily on order, but corresponding to eye conditions.
People who wear diopter glasses can opt for sunglasses made with the appropriate diopter, lenses that have the same properties as diopter-free sunglasses.
What sunglasses do you wear when doing sports? Find out what you need
How do we choose the color of the sunglasses lens?
Lens color can affect color differentiation and contrast. Certain colors can increase the contrast, which can be useful, but very dark colors of gray and black reduce the overall amount of light, being forbidden to drive, because the amount of light transmitted through the lens is very small (category 4).
The color of the sunglasses’ lens will influence the differentiation of colors and contrast.
Thus, gray lenses reduce light intensity without affecting contrast, brown lenses partially improve contrast, blocking blue light (recommended for winter sports), yellow lenses reduce the amount of blue light and increase contrast (ideal for hunters, winter sports, but not and for driving or activities that require color differentiation), the pink and purple ones offer the best contrast of objects on a green or blue background (for fishing and hunting), the green ones offer the best contrast and good visual acuity.
How do we choose sunglasses for children?
In children, both the eyes and the skin of the eyelids and the periocular region can suffer from UV rays, because they are much more vulnerable areas than in adults.
Children should be protected from sunglasses from the age of three. Sunglasses must provide 100% protection against UVA and UVB radiation and cover as large an area of the periocular region as possible. A glass lens should be avoided and plastic as a material is preferable, as it is more resistant. The frames must be flexible but durable.
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