Protect your peepers

Good sunglasses can save your vision, while cheap ones may damage your eyes.

A few years back, the fashionable Roman Emperor Nero peered through a light green emerald to watch gladiator fights in the Coliseum. Even back then, colored lenses were believed to soothe and shade the eyes. If Nero were alive today, he'd likely be sporting Oakley's Thump 2 sunglasses, which would not only protect his peepers from nasty UV light but enable him to listen to 240 of his favorite songs at the same time. And, with no wires to worry about, he could stand up and freely cheer his favorite barbarian.

He might also become frustrated, however, if he drove the chariot down to a modern sunglass store. Do you really need a Plutonite lens? Wraparound? Polarized? Mirrored? And what's all the fuss about UVA, UVB and UVC?

Why wear sunglasses?

"The most important thing to consider in selecting sunglasses is protection from UV (ultraviolet) rays," says Dr. Robert Kleinberg, optometrist with Tustin Optometry. "If you buy a cheap pair of sunglasses for $5 at a flea market, you may end up worse than you started. The dark lens will cause your pupils to dilate, and the lack of UV protection could damage your eyes more than if you went without sunglasses."

Ultraviolet light damages eyes the same way it damages skin. Spending hours on the beach or in the snow can cause photokeratitis, literally a sunburned cornea. Although reversible, temporary blindness and pain may be the unpleasant results. Exposure to bright light over time may also contribute to a higher risk of cataracts and macular degeneration; UV light reflected off sand, snow, water and pavement presents particularly high risks of corneal damage. A good pair of sunglasses protects against all this and even cancer, which may develop on the eyelid or around the eye.

Fashion meets safety

Dark sunglasses may add to your mystique but not necessarily provide extra protection against ultraviolet rays. UV protection is clear, so be sure the label promises 100% protection against both UVA and UVB ultraviolet radiation. The label should say "Full (or 100%) UV protection" or "UV400."

Available at all price ranges, UV protection does not add to the cost of sunglasses. Paying more for impact- and shatter-resistant lenses, however, may be worth it if you're active. They're also safer if you ever face an airbag up close and personal. In addition, consider polarized lens if you do a lot of beach or water sports, as they reduce glare from the water, sand and blacktop.

The same guidelines apply to children's sunglasses: They need real sunglasses with the same UV protection level as adults, not toy sunglasses. Polycarbonate lenses, the most shatterproof, are recommended for active kids.

Also consider

Tinting: When considering colored lenses, experts recommend grey, as it distorts colors the least; amber blocks out blue light, which may contribute to macular degeneration. For this same reason, avoid blue-tinted lenses.

Frames: Whether you choose Blues Brothers - or Jackie O-style frames, think safety along with fashion. Frames that fit snugly against your eyebrows and temples protect your entire eye as well as your eyelids. Moreover, wraparound frames act like a wide-brimmed hat in helping fend off direct sunlight.

Lens quality: The lens should be free of distortions, which are common in cheap sunglasses. To test your glasses, find a surface with repeating lines, like a tiled floor. Hold the sunglasses a short distance away from your face and cover one eye. Look through one of the lenses at the lines while moving the sunglasses slowly from left to right and then up and down. The lines should stay straight; if they wiggle or waver, the lenses are not optical quality and will distort your vision.

So, whether you're hiding from the paparazzi or lounging in your back yard, choose the best sunglasses for your eyes and look cool while you protect your eyes from sun damage.

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A quick guide to safe sunglasses

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends:

• Make sure your sunglasses block 99% to 100% of UV rays and UVB rays. Do not be deceived by cost or tint, as neither is indicative of UV protection.

• Ideally, your sunglasses should wrap all around to your temples, so the sun's rays can't enter from the sides.

• Wear sunglasses even if your contacts have UV protection.

• In addition to your sunglasses, wear a broad-rimmed hat to protect your eyes.

• Wear sunglasses whenever outside, but especially in the early afternoon and in high altitudes, where UV light is most intense.

OC Metro