Sunglasses aren't just for fashion

Doctors stress that there is more to consider when choosing sunglasses other than the fashion. / Korea Times file

By Yoon Ja-young

When heading out on a summer vacation trip, there is a sun-related item you must take other than sun block: sunglasses.

Sunglasses are not a mere fashion item. Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays damages the eyes, leading to problems such as cataracts and glaucoma. Sunglasses that fulfill their role in UV protection decrease the risk.

Prof. Park In-ki at Kyunghee University Medical Center and Prof. Choi Hyuk-jin at Seoul National University Hospital have some tips for choosing the right sunglasses.

UV protection

Firstly, you should check whether the lenses offer UV protection. That should come before design, brand or style. Avoid sunglasses that are too cheap as they probably won’t protect you well.

“People usually think the darker the lenses, the more effective they are in UV protection. However, this has nothing to do with it,” Prof. Park said.

Cheap sunglasses that have poor UV protection thus do more harm than good despite their dark colors. “Sunglasses without UV protection coating only darken vision, and the pupil thus becomes larger to let more light into the eye. The exposure to UV rays is increased this way,” Park said.

Instead of the sunglasses with dark lenses, he recommended lenses through which the users’ eyes are visible as the best.

Colors of lenses

Prof. Choi explains colors of the lenses fit different circumstances. Grey, for instance, is the basic color that is suitable for any scenario, enabling users to sense the natural colors as they are. Brown sunglasses are appropriate for protecting the eyes in case of eye disease or after cataract surgery. Experts recommend them for beaches or driving, as they allow wider and clearer vision. Green is useful for fishers who have to concentrate their vision on one spot for a long time, and yellow color is good for night driving or night sports.

Lenses with too vivid colors, such as red, blue, pink, purple, however, will tire the eyes, leading to poor eyesight.

The doctors also stressed checking what the lens is made of. Prof. Park recommends lenses made of polycarbonate, which is resistant to external shock, instead of lenses made of glass.

Prof. Choi added that one should pay attention to the surface of the lenses as those unevenly colored or with scratches on the surface can distort the images, leading to fatigue of the eyes. He recommends trying the sunglasses for about five minutes to verify whether they look clear and feel comfortable.

Sunglasses are for outdoors

It is best to avoid going out from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., when UV rays are the strongest. If you must, don’t forget to take the sunglasses to shield the eyes, Prof. Park says. “Some people keep using sunglasses indoor, but they shouldn’t as it interferes with distinction of colors and damages their vision,” he added.

When you buy yourself sunglasses, don’t forget to get some for your children, the doctor says. Children should take special heed as UV rays can reach deeper into their eyes as they are weaker and more transparent than those of adults.

Advice: Prof. Park In-ki at Kyunghee University Medical Center and Prof. Choi Hyuk-jin at Seoul National University Hospital