Appointments: (510) 836-2122
Appointments: (510) 836-2122
Sunglasses are an easy solution that makes life more comfortable when outdoors, while also providing critical protection from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Long-term exposure to UV rays can damage the eye’s surface as well as its internal structures, sometimes contributing to cataracts (clouding of the lens) and macular degeneration (breakdown of the macula).
Ophthalmologists and optometrists now recommend wearing sunglasses and a brimmed hat whenever you’re in the sun long enough to get a suntan or a sunburn, especially if you live at a high elevation or near the equator.
The good news is that sunglasses don’t have to be expensive to protect your eyes and they can often be found at the local drugstore. Unfortunately, a high price is not always a guarantee of high quality and protection. Part of the difficulty is that standards and labeling regarding UV protection are voluntary, not mandatory—and can be confusing.
Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for sunglasses:
Don’t be deceived by color or cost. The ability to block UV light is not dependent on the darkness of the lens or the price tag. While both plastic and glass lenses absorb some UV light, UV absorption is improved by adding certain chemicals to the lens material during manufacturing or by applying special lens coatings. Always choose sunglasses that are labeled as blocking 99-100% of UV rays. Some manufacturers’ labels say, "UV absorption up to 400nm." This is the same thing as 100% UV absorption.
Wraparounds offer added protection. Sunglasses that wrap around the temples prevent the sun’s rays from entering from the sides. Some studies have shown that enough UV rays enter around standard sunglass frames to reduce the protective benefits of the lenses.
Sunglasses should screen out 75-90% of visible light. To determine if a pair is dark enough, try the glasses on in front of a mirror. If you can see your eyes easily through the lenses, they probably are too light.
Look for a uniform tint, not darker in one area than in another. To check for imperfections in the lenses, hold the glasses at arm’s length and then look through them at a straight line in the distance, such as the edge of door. Slowly move the lens across the line. If the straight edge distorts, sways, curves or moves, the lens is flawed.
Determine which special features you need or want. Like cars, sunglasses often have a variety of "extras" from which to choose:
Remember, even the best sunglasses cannot protect your eyes from certain intense light sources. Arc welding, tanning lights, snowfields or gazing directly at the sun (even during a solar eclipse) all require special protection to prevent damage.
References: Glaucoma Research Foundation
We love our customers, so feel free to visit during normal business hours.
491 30th Street Suite 202 Oakland, CA 94609
Ph: (510) 835-8975 Fax: (510)835-8977
Open today | 09:00 am – 06:00 pm |
CLOSE FOR LUNCH AT 1:30PM TO 2:30 PM
Public Transportation
The MacArthur BART station, on Telegraph Avenue, is about 17 minutes' walk north of our office. A free medical area shuttle service, operated by Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, offers a complimentary ride from MacArthur BART station to 3100 Telegraph Ave every 20 minutes. Our office is just across the street from the shuttle stop. Please click here for shuttle information.
For informational purposes only, a link to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments web page is provided here. The federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires that detailed information about payment and other payments of value worth over ten dollars ($10) from manufacturers of drugs, medical devices, and biologics to physicians and teaching hospitals be made available to the public.
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