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Pick sunglasses to block UV rays

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By Meredith Moss, Staff Writer 5:52 PM Monday, June 1, 2009

It’s tempting to pick up a pair of sunglasses at this time of year for one of two reasons:

1. They’re stylish.

2. They’re cheap.

But, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, those are precisely the wrong reasons for making your selection.

June is UV (ultraviolet light) Safety Awareness Month, and through the academy’s EyeSmart campaign, it’s offering guidelines for proper protection.

According to the academy, UV radiation — whether from natural sunlight or indoor artificial rays — can damage the eye’s surface tissues as well as the cornea. For that reason, it’s important to start wearing proper eye protection at an early age, and to wear it year-round.

Excessive exposure to UV light reflected off sand, water or pavement can damage the eyes’ front surface. In addition to cataracts, sun exposure can lead to lesions and tumors that may be cosmetically unappealing and require surgical removal.

Here are the academy’s tips for protecting your eyes from the sun:

Don’t focus on color or darkness of sunglass lenses: Select sunglasses that block UV rays. Don’t be deceived by color or cost. The ability to block UV light is not dependent on the price tag or how dark the sunglass lenses are.

Check for 100 percent UV protection: Make sure your sunglasses block 100 percent of UVA rays and UVB rays.

Choose wrap-around styles: Ideally, your sunglasses should wrap all the way around to your temples, so the sun’s rays can’t enter from the side.

Wear a hat: In addition to your sunglasses, wear a broad-brimmed hat to protect your eyes.

Don’t rely on contact lenses: Even if you wear contact lenses with UV protection, remember your sunglasses.

Don’t be fooled by clouds: The sun’s rays can pass through haze and thin clouds. Sun damage to eyes can occur anytime during the year, not just in the summertime.

Protect your eyes during peak sun times: Sunglasses should be worn whenever outside, and it’s especially important to wear sunglasses in the early afternoon and at higher altitudes, where UV light is more intense.

Never look directly at the sun. Looking directly at the sun at any time, including during an eclipse, can lead to solar retinopathy, damage to the eye’s retina from solar radiation.

Don’t forget the kids: Everyone is at risk, including children. Protect their eyes with hats and sunglasses. In addition, try to keep children out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Consumers can submit questions about eye health to an ophthalmologist at www/geteyessmart.org/eyesmart/ask

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2440 or mmoss@DaytonDaily News.com.

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Uhhh ... let me guess which sunglasses claim to filter out 100% UVA and UVB, but don't. Could a significant portion of them be labeled "Made in China"?

Andrew P.
7:00 PM, 6/4/2009

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