Sunglasses for UV protection or fashion?

I was shopping for sunglasses recently, and I noticed that some say "100 percent UV protection" and others don't. I've always just assumed that it is important but in my new guise as intrepid researcher, I thought I should find out why UV protection is important for sunglasses?

- Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can damage your eyes as well as your skin.
- Strong sunlight can burn the corneas and conjunctivas of your eyes.
- Long-term exposure to UV radiation can contribute to eye disease, especially cataracts.


There is so much choice when choosing sunglasses - Here are some tips on what to look for:

- Blue-blocking plastic lenses.
Often promoted for sun protection, blue-blocking lenses also block red, amber and blue light — which makes it difficult to differentiate traffic light colors.

- Polarized lenses.
Although polarized lenses protect against glare, they don't meet the criteria for UV protection unless they have additional UV-blocking material in the lenses.

- Photochromic lenses.
This type of lens protects the eyes from glare, sun and UV radiation while also maintaining visual acuity. Photochromic lenses also do not distort color.

- Polycarbonate lenses.
A great choice for children and athletes, polycarbonate lenses shield the eyes from UV radiation as well as protect the eyes against impact injuries that may be sustained during play and sports.

UV protection can also be obtained for most rigid contact lenses and many soft contact lenses.

As with your skin, you should protect your eyes in the sun:

- Choose sunglasses that fit close to your face or have wraparound frames.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat or cap, which keeps out sunlight from directly overhead.
- Never look directly at the sun — even through sunglasses — doing so can cause permanent eye damage.