Sunglass Facts

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Recent health studies have
underscored the damaging effects of
ultra-violet light on skin and eyes.
Sunglass manufacturers have re-
sponded with new products that
provide UV protection. However, con-
sumer misconceptions abound. Test
yourself on three of the most com-
monly held beliefs related to sunglass
selection.
1.The darker the sunglass lenses, the
more they will protect your eyes.
This statement is incorrect. The
primary purpose for choosing a light-
er or darker sunglass lens is for eye
comfort. When protection is the issue, one
must discuss degrees of ultraviolet
light absorption, not darkness or
lightness of sunglass lenses.
It's entirely possible, for example,
to have a pair of sunglasses that
boasts a very high level of UV pro-
tection even though the lens may be
very light. UV inhibitors protect your
eyes; the lightness or darkness of
sunglass lenses do not.
2.If you can see your eyes, your
sunglasses are not dark enough.
This statement is false. It is most
important to put this particular myth
out to pasture — immediately. Unless
dark-lens sunglasses have UV pro-
tection, they are downright danger-
ous. A person may mistakenly buy
sunglasses with very dark lenses but
without any UV protection, believing
that dark lenses alone provide
sufficient protection. They don't!

3.Whether your eyes are light or dark,
the amount of protection they need is the
same.
This is another variation of the pro-
tection vs. comfort distinction. For pro-
tection, sunglasses must have UV
inhibitors, whether your eyes are light
or dark. For comfort, light eyes are
going to feel better in darker lenses.
Dark eyes will do fine in medium to
light lenses.
Dark eyes have more pigment in
them, which helps to absorb bright-
ness. Light eyes have less pigment
and are more sensitive to light. Thus,
lightness or darkness of your natural
eye color does affect your choice of
lighter or darker sunglass lenses.
It may be helpful to think of oppo-
sites: dark lens sunglasses for light-
eyed people and vice versa . . . that's
the comfort rule.