Table of contents:
- The dangers of UVB rays to the eyes
- Why can cheap sunglasses be dangerous?
- No need to be expensive, as long as quality
Often relax on the beach or spend a lot of time outdoors when the sun is shining hot? Sunglasses are definitely your weapon. But be careful, if your activity requires sunglasses as eye protection and not just style, don't take the risk of wearing cheap sunglasses. Not a matter of prestige, but more about the health of your eyes.
The dangers of UVB rays to the eyes
To DailyMail Chris Worsman, senior eye examiner expert at Viewpoint Opticians in York, said that UVB rays emitted by the sun can damage the eye lens. The eye lens is the part of the eye that helps focus light.
"The eye lens is made of a lot of protein, which is why the lens looks clear," said Chris. "UVB causes the protein to break down and wrinkle, so that the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. These are called cataracts and can develop after years of unprotected sun exposure."
Exposure to UV rays without good UV protection can also potentially increase the risk of skin cancer on the eyelids. Chris explained that a type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma usually looks like a spot or pain in the eyelid, and it can also occur due to sun exposure.
"Although it does not spread elsewhere, it can grow into the eyelid, and surgical removal of the cancer in the eyelid will leave significant scars," continued Chris. "In the short term, sun exposure can cause photo keratitis, when exposure to intense sunlight kills the outer layer of the cornea."
Why can cheap sunglasses be dangerous?
Sunglasses will block UV rays, if you choose carefully. Light is measured in nanometers, and UVB rays are roughly 320-390 nanometers in size. If the sunglasses have a CE (European standard UV protection) label it means they can receive no more than 5% UV rays under 380 nanometers.
"What you need to pay attention to on your sunglasses is the UV 400 mark, which means that they do not receive UV light below 400 nanometers," explains Chris.
Technically, this means that the glasses offer more protection than the CE label, but the differences are minimal, and the UV rays between 380-400 are less damaging when compared to the lower size ones.
Cheap sunglasses usually don't have lenses that provide protection against the sun, but just ordinary lenses tinted with black ink, with grade 4 being the darkest and 1 being the brightest. "But the dark color of this lens is just an appearance and in fact does not provide UV protection," said Specsavers eye examination expert, James Goldenberg.
James says cheap sunglasses do come with risks, because they don't actually protect the eyes from UV rays. Quoted Time , glasses without UVA and UVB protection will very easily filter out light. Cheap glasses do nothing to protect us, other than just for style. Black ink that covers the lens without providing protection can indeed have the effect of reducing glare, even though your eyes are still exposed to UV rays. Over time, these dark lenses will actually interfere with your vision and if used for too long it usually results in dizziness because your eyes have to work extra hard.
"In addition, exposure to UVA and UVB light can increase the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and even the development of ocular melanoma, a very rare type of cancer," said Dr. Wayne Bizer, ophthalmologist and spokesperson at the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
No need to be expensive, as long as quality
According to him, the sunglasses you choose don't have to be expensive. Even though sunglasses that are over Rp.1 million usually have full protection, they are often cheaper and sold in regular optics that can ward off ultraviolet rays.
Dr. Wayne recommends that we buy glasses from a good and right place, always make sure the label and quality. “You should buy sunglasses where they are good. Maybe it's best to avoid people selling on the streets, where the glasses often don't meet the standards, "he said.
