Sunglasses serve as a crucial accessory not only for fashion but primarily for eye protection, according to an ophthalmologist from Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Masih Ahmed, an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Baylor, emphasized the importance of wearing sunglasses during outdoor activities, particularly in the summer.
“When we’re outside, there’s a lot of ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) from the sun, and those UV rays can damage different parts of the eye,” Dr. Ahmed stated. He highlighted that sunglasses are essential for maintaining long-term eye health and warned against neglecting their use.
Short-term exposure to UV rays can exacerbate dry eyes or cause photokeratitis, which is akin to a sunburn on the eye's surface. This condition usually resolves over time but occurs after prolonged sun exposure and looking towards the sky. Long-term UV exposure can accelerate cataracts and macular degeneration progression and lead to pterygia—tissue growth on the eye's front surface—which may impair vision. Sunglasses that block UV rays help mitigate these risks.
Dr. Ahmed advised that when purchasing sunglasses, ensuring they offer 100% UV protection is vital. He also recommended selecting glasses with fuller coverage to prevent light penetration from the sides. Polarized lenses are beneficial on water or snow due to glare reduction from these surfaces.
“If you have polarized lenses and look at your computer or phone screen, you’ll notice that those screens don’t look normal and are harder to read," he explained about how polarization affects screen visibility by blocking light in one direction.
Even on overcast days, UV rays persist; thus, sunglasses remain useful for protection under such conditions but are unnecessary at night or with heavy cloud cover.
Dr. Ahmed also pointed out additional benefits: “When people are outside doing lawn work and gardening – especially in the summertime – sunglasses that are made of a polycarbonate material can act like a safety glass.” These materials provide extra protection against debris while engaging in yard activities.
