Dr. Khan Answers Your Questions About Sun Protection
Q: What can a person do to protect herself from sun exposure??
Whenever she is outside! If there is daylight there are UV rays to protect your eyes from.
Q: What exactly are “ultraviolet rays?”
It is invisible high energy light that can cause damage in the eyes such as cataracts, pterygiums, and macular degeneration
Q: How can people protect themselves from the sun’s UV rays?
Use a good quality pair of sunglasses with a 100% UVA/UVB protective coating, also invest in good sunscreen to protect your skin.
Q: Are sunglasses an important part of a sun protection plan?
Absolutely! Think of sunglasses as sunscreen for your eyes.
Q: What type of sunglasses offer the best protection from UV rays?
A solid tint (grey or brown) with 100% UV protection
Q: I have heard about blue light being a concern as well. Can you talk a little bit about this and what it means for protecting your eyes?
Blue light is part of high energy visible light (HEV) and we are over-exposed to HEV from digital screens, indoor lighting, etc. It is known to suppress melatonin production and could possibly have an effect on the cells in your macula.
Q: I’ve heard of getting my skin sunburned, but can your eyes also get sunburned?
Absolutely. Solar keratitis is a sunburn of the eyes and can occur when one is outdoors on the water or snow without proper sun protection.
Q: Do darker sunglasses mean better sun protection?
Not necessarily. The tint in a pair of sunglasses is for comfort, the UV filter, a clear, colourless coating on the lens, does the work of providing sun protection.
Q: Does having a prescription make it harder to get the right sunglasses?
A pair of prescription sunglasses is a fantastic investment! Come visit our eyewear gallery to find the perfect frame that can easily accommodate your prescription!