Today, we offer you a series of recommendations to adequately protect the eyes by wearing sunglasses, especially when it comes to shop for contact lenses at designer optics.
First of all, it is important to acquire them in a specialized and trusted center. Buying them outside of a specialized center does not guarantee that the lens complies with current regulations that ensure its quality and adequate protection of the sight. In this sense, we point out that “sunglasses purchased in establishments without health guarantees (gas stations, gift shops, bazaars or kiosks) should be rejected, as they could cause serious damage to visual health”.
All glasses must have the “CE” marking in a visible, legible, and indelible way. This marking will guarantee consumers that the glasses comply with all legal and safety requirements to be marketed in our country. Likewise, they must be accompanied by the identification of the model, the name and address of the manufacturer, the reference to ISO 12312, the filter category, if they are polarized, as well as the restrictions of use, for example, if they are not suitable for direct observation. from the sun, for protection against artificial light sources such as UV cabins or if they are not suitable for driving cars and road users. Keep in mind that there may be specific restrictions for driving at night or in low light conditions.
The consumer should choose sunglasses depending on the ambient light where they are to be used and the user’s sensitivity to light. Whenever possible, glasses should be chosen that offer optimal vision both on sunny, cloudy, or even foggy days, and, in case of doubt, an ophthalmologist should always be consulted.
Regarding minors, special attention should be paid to the adequate protection of the eyes of children, still in development, since they are more sensitive to ultraviolet UV-A and UV-B radiation. In addition, their pupils are larger and their lens is more transparent, something to take into account since it is estimated that before reaching the age of 18, they will have already received almost a quarter of all the exposure to ultraviolet rays of their life. For this reason, sunglasses should never be considered a toy.
Regarding the adverse effects of exposure to ultraviolet radiation, we warn of the importance of protection with approved sunglasses that have an adequate protection index and if possible polarized “to avoid sunburn and minimize the long-term risk of developing pathological conditions such as keratitis, cataracts or even age-related macular degeneration ”.
In the same way, they recommend that the frame be “enveloping” so that it prevents -as much as possible- reflection on the inner face of the lens, in order to avoid minor injuries, such as conjunctivitis, ulcerations, or a dry eye sensation, to more serious conditions, such as corneal burns.
Finally, the hours of greatest solar radiation should be avoided, especially on the beach (due to the high reflection of UV rays in the water and the surface of the sand) and the mountains (due to a greater incidence when being in areas with higher altitude and, therefore, closer to the sun).
