A doctor explains the fundamental differences
when choosing sunglasses
Ophthalmologist Dr.Yaroslav Yeliseyev pointed out that the World Health
Organization estimates the number of people blind due to cataracts
at about 18 million people around the world.
The doctor indicates that the cause of about 10 percent of
these cases is exposure to ultraviolet rays.
The doctor explains that
the heat of the sun increases during the summer, and that the eyes get tired
quickly and become red when not wearing high-quality sunglasses.
Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays may also lead to serious visual problems.
Therefore
ophthalmologists recommend choosing the right glasses, as they are not just stylish
accessories, but are extremely important protective tools to protect the eyes.
He adds:
"Many people make the mistake of thinking that
increasing the degree of opacity of lenses means better protection.
In fact
there is no relationship between the degree of opacity and the ability to protect
against ultraviolet rays. We may find lenses that are completely transparent but
equipped with an excellent filter for harmful rays
while some very dark lenses may be completely useless. The claimed protection
effectiveness of the glasses can be verified using specialized
light meters available in optical salons," he said.
The doctor confirms that Class II glasses
- (in terms of degree of opacity) are best suited for daily use in cities
- as they provide comfortable vision without straining the eyes
- with adequate protection from harmful rays.
As for strolling on the beaches or hiking in direct sunlight, it is recommended to
use category 3 glasses. While the fourth category
(darkest)
is suitable for extreme conditions such as snowboarding.
Regarding lens materials
the doctor stresses the importance of balancing comfort and safety.
Glass lenses illustrate the image perfectly, but they are heavy and breakable.
Plastic lenses are lighter and less expensive
but they are more susceptible to scratching.
The doctor especially
recommends children and active people to use polycarbonate lenses, due to their
high resistance to breakage and superior ability to block ultraviolet rays.
As for lens colors:
Gray and green:
These are neutral options that suit most people
Brown: improves color contrast, so drivers prefer it
Yellow and orange:
They are useful in poor visibility conditions, but are not suitable for strong sunlight
Blue and pink: aesthetic fashionable options
but they do not provide sufficient practical protection
The doctor explains the fundamental difference between the concepts of
"polarization" and "UV protection"explaining that:
Polarized glasses:
Effectively reduces glare reflected from surfaces such as water and asphalt
It is especially important for drivers
Does not provide automatic UV protection
Protection standards:
Glasses must be labeled UV 400 to ensure complete protection.
- The effectiveness of polarization can be tested before purchase by looking
- at the smartphone screen (where the image should disappear
- due to blocking of polarized light).
The doctor strongly warns against purchasing sunglasses from non-specialized
places, saying: "Obtaining glasses from unreliable sources may lead to serious
visual problems, a greater risk than not wearing glasses in the first place, and
dilated pupils, which allows a greater amount of harmful rays to penetrate."
The doctor definitely recommends purchasing sunglasses
exclusively from specialized optical salons, given that:
Dark lenses without a UV filter do not provide real protection.
It may cause more harm than not using glasses completely.
Specialized salons provide quality assurance and visual safety.