Health Watch
Protecting your eyes-brought to you by Berkeley Eye Center
We use sunscreen to protect our skin, but often forget about protecting our eyes from Ultraviolet Radiation. UV radiation from the sun can damage not only the skin of your eyelids, but also the clear outer parts of the eye-the cornea and conjunctiva. Exposure to UV also contributes to certain types of cataracts.
Choosing Sunglasses
You need to look for sunglasses that block 99% of UVB rays, and at least 95% UVA rays. Select a sunglass that sits closer to your face and hugs your face. This will provide maximum protection from damage that can occur from all angles. Even if you are wearing a hat, you are at risk of ultraviolet radiation that is reflected from buildings, roadways, water and other surfaces. A dark lens does not mean the lenses have Ultraviolet protection-look on the label.
Sports Glasses
Flying soccer balls and close physical contact make soccer a moderate risk sport for eye injuries. Goggles not only provide protection from injury, but can also be fit with your prescription in them. Look for the following when selecting the right type of goggles:
- Polycarbonate Lenses: This is the most important property of all protective goggles. These lenses are virtually unbreakable.
- Durable Frame Design: The frame must also be able to withstand the impact of a ball.
- Coverage: The frame must cover the entire eye socket, not only the eyeball itself.
- Padding: The frame should have padding at the temple points and bridge points to “cushion the blow”. Padding will absorb some of the shock to lessen the overall impact, and to assure the frame itself does not cause damage to the facial structures.
- Lens Color: A clear lens is the best for general purpose use. However, if you are playing in bright sunlight or have light sensitivity, an amber tinted lens can increase the color of the ball while providing increased depth perception.
Protect your eyes from glare
Whether you’re behind a wheel, swinging a golf club or riding a bike, glare can interfere with your vision and cause eyestrain. Selecting the right sunglasses begins with proper ultraviolet protection. The next step is finding the right frame and the right lens choice.
What type of sunglass lenses are available?
Tinted lens- Available in a broad number of colors and varying degrees of colors. The most common colors you will see in sunglasses are:
- Gray-the most natural color you can select that will not change the way you see colors. The sky is still blue, grass still green, etc.
- Brown-Provides the most contrast in what you see. Drivers tend to prefer a brown color.
- Polarized lenses-A polarized lens is 2 lenses laminated together that have a polarizing filter between the lenses or that is molded in the lenses. They are the best sunglass protection available, providing protection from all horizontal as well as vertical glare.
Stop in any of our offices to learn about all your sunglass protection options. We offer a large selection of prescription and non prescription eyewear. We have 20 locations in the Greater Houston Area and throughout Texas to serve you.
To schedule an appointment, please call our office at 713-526-1600 or schedule online.