Summer has arrived, and it has come in a big way. Even though there is some relief now in some parts of the country, other areas witnessed temperatures around 50 degrees.
Senior ophthalmologist Dr Mukund R Nayak came out with suggestions to protect eyes from the scorching summer heat. “If proper care is not taken, there are possibilities of damaging eyes. During the peak summer, the temperature might even reach 50 degrees. To protect our eyes from UV rays of sunlight, wearing sunglasses is very important. The damage caused by UV rays has a cumulative effect on the eyes. Hence, wearing sunglasses throughout the summer is important,” said the ophthalmologist.
According to him, everyone, regardless of age, needs sunglasses. Even children are at risk of eye damage due to UV radiation. Eyes are vulnerable to UV rays during cloudy days also, as UV rays penetrate through clouds.
HOW TO SELECT A SUNGLASS
“While selecting a pair of sunglasses, one should read the label properly. Look for UV light absorption percentage. Not all sunglasses are 100 per cent UV protective. But, anything which has more than 70-85 per cent UV absorption will serve the purpose. Larger lenses offer greater eye protection than small lenses. For maximum protection, use wrap-around lenses,” says Dr Nayak
Do we need to wear sunglasses only during summer? No, it should be worn in all seasons. In summer, the intensity of the rays is high.
“Winter or summer, cloudy or sunny-you are susceptible to UV rays. Excess UV exposure can cause cataract, macular degeneration, pterygium (fleshy growth) and dryness of the eyes.
Sunglasses are not just another stylish accessory. The colour of sunglasses is purely cosmetic. The percentage of UV absorption is more important than the colour of sunglasses. Polarised sunglasses reduce glare, and they are more comfortable.”
Sunglasses also protect the skin of our eyelids, as the skin of the eyelids are the thinnest in the entire body. If you have a prescription, those can be incorporated with sunglasses also.
Sunglass is especially important for people who have undergone cataract surgery, light coloured eyes, and under photosensitive medication. The most significant danger of poor sunglasses is if they are tinted but do not block the UV rays. Blue rays of the light spectrum are said to be more dangerous to the retina. They might damage the retina causing macular degeneration.
Important to note that “Just sunglasses without UV protection may damage your eye, as pupils will be dilated which increases harmful solar rays to enter the eyes causing more retinal damage.
People working outdoors continuously should wear glass lenses. Plastic or fibre lenses are likely to get distorted due to very high temperatures. Use sunglasses only when you are outdoors.” Wearing them indoors and at the workplace look indecent and may not be acceptable by others, suggests Dr Nayak.
“While selecting a pair of sunglasses, one should read the label properly. Look for UV light absorption percentage. Not all sunglasses are 100 per cent UV protective. But, anything which has more than 70-85 per cent UV absorption will serve the purpose
Dr Mukund
R Nayak
Senior ophthalmologist
LENS ARE PREFERENCE
For any age group, large lenses are preferred, as, on the other hand, small lenses still allow sunlight to pass from its sides. The upper edges should at least touch the eyebrows, and the lower edges should rest on the upper side of the face on either side of the nose.
Whatever the age of the occupation, using sunglasses when you are outdoors will help you maintain good eyesight for a long time. Polaroid sunglasses offer glare-free vision, 100 per cent UV protection, hard coating for maximum scratch resistance.
Dr Nayak suggests, wearing sunglasses while driving is all the more critical, as they reduce the amount of light entering into the eyes, which reduces the glare effect in the eyes. “This will provide more comfort during driving which might again reduce the chances of road accidents.”
People wearing powered glasses may feel disadvantaged, but things are not usually against them. Manufacturers of sunglasses have devised eyewear to meet their demands by producing special glasses. People who wear short-sighted (myopia) glasses can protect their eyes from sunlight by using photo-chromatic glasses (generally called “day and night” glasses). These glasses become dark when they are exposed to the sunlight, says Dr Nayak.
Some other power glasses are available with antiglare coating, which will reduce glare into the eyes. Good quality sunglasses do not become hot when exposed to sunlight.
Recommending strongly sunglasses for everyone, Dr Nayak said, “It is essential to wear sunglasses for protecting your eyes, especially in countries like Oman, where temperature rises almost every day during summer. It may be worth thinking about how good they are for your eyes, rather than concentrating on style.”
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
