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Sunglasses & Why Quality is Critical

Sunglasses & Why Quality is Critical

Jul 10, 2024 | 2:00 AM

Sunglasses are an iconic summertime accessory. With fashion, function, and a built-in cool factor, “shades” have been popular for almost a century. But optometrists know sunglasses should be meant to do more than just boost your style.

Protection that matters

“I always tell my patients that the best way to protect your eyes moving forward and maintain good ocular health is to wear your sunglasses,” stated Dr. Mark Langer from IRIS Optometrists and Opticians.

“It’s so important for delaying the onset of things like cataracts and macular degeneration or skin cancer and other conditions. The best thing you can do now to maintain the good ocular health that you currently have is to just wear sunglasses. But also, realize that sunglasses aren’t created equally.”

When they do more harm than good  

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Many people might be surprised to learn that it’s entirely voluntary for sunglass manufacturers to meet industry standards for UV protection. “In North America, there are no regulations that say a sunglass manufacturer has to create a lens that protects you from UV in order to slap a UV sticker on.”

The little sticker stating 100% UV protection might not actually protect your eyes from UV at all.

Dr. Langer explained how wearing low-quality sunglasses is actually detrimental to your ocular health. “What happens is you throw the sunglasses on, your pupils dilate because now the world is darker. You’re actually getting more exposure, more UV entering into the eye and hitting your retina and potentially causing a lot of damage over the long run.”

The great news is a higher level of quality does equal a higher level of protection. Consumers should be looking for sunglasses with full UVA, UVB, and UVC protection.

Protection plus a better view

Obviously protecting your eyes is the priority, but sunglasses with a great-quality lens also make what you see appear its best.

Sunglasses shouldn’t just darken the world, which is what the cheap ones do. “A good quality sunglass blocks out the harmful rays, but it really lets the natural light shine through,” stated Dr. Langer.

He added that the incredible sunglasses go further and also block out some of the harmful blue light wavelengths and enhance what we see. “The best sunglasses on the market fully protect your eyes from harmful light, but also the world looks even more colourful and vibrant through those sunglasses.”

Your own great quality sunglasses

IRIS offers non-prescription and prescription sunglasses. To browse their selection, stop by their clinic in the Village Green Shopping Centre. For an appointment, call (250) 542-2239 or book online at their website.