Cheap sunglasses do not protect against UV rays

Ophthalmologist Dr. Yelda Ertürk pointed out that the sun’s rays pose certain risks to human health because of the wavelengths we cannot see, and that the human eye can distinguish wavelengths between 400-700 nanometers, that UV rays cannot be seen in the sense of ultraviolet, and that UVA, UVB and UVC according to the magnitude of the wavelength. He said it was divided into three. Claiming that while UVC is the most dangerous of these, it does not harm humans because it is kept in the atmosphere, it is even artificially produced and used for sterilizing places and tools with its germicidal function. Ertürk said: “UVA and UVB are the sun’s rays that we should be protected from and hats, visors and sunglasses should be used as means of protection”.

Dr. Ertürk said: “Not all glasses that darken our eyes protect us from UV rays. It even robs us of the protection that can be afforded by squinting the eyelid and shrinking the pupil, and threatens our eye health by trapping the rays from our enlarged pupils. It is better not to wear sunglasses at all, rather than using cheap sunglasses as an accessory. Therefore, when choosing sunglasses, pay attention to 100% UVA and UVB blocking and lens quality.

“Cheap glasses block 40 percent UV”

Emphasizing that the UV protection rating of the goggles cannot be determined by the darkness, color, brand or price of the lens, Dr. Ertürk: “The raw material of the glass and the UV-oriented coating determine the degree of UV protection. Glasses that do not have this coating block 88 percent of the UV, while glasses with coated lenses block the UV for 100 percent. The glass of cheap glasses is made of a substance called triacetate. The UV blocking of goggles made from this material is about 40 percent. “This protection is not enough,” he said.

Dr. Ertürk said that this quality certificate should check whether it has 99 percent or more UV protection or whether it allows rays below 400 nanometers to pass through.

Dr. Dr. Ertürk said, “This could also be a window seat. If there is a slack in this line or if there are breaks when we move the glasses slightly up and down, left and right, it means that the glasses are not suitable. In this case, a different pair of glasses is preferable.”

“A frame should be chosen that protrudes above the eyebrows and does not touch the cheeks”

Emphasizing that there is no relationship between glass color and ultraviolet protection, Dr. erturk said:

“Not all dark glasses protect us from harmful rays. Sunglasses must meet international standards (EN, ANSI, TSE). It must be unbreakable and durable. Sunglasses can break during sports or other activities and cause eye damage. It should be dark enough that we can see the traffic lights that do not reduce our vision while driving. The size of the frame and the thickness of the handles should be designed to prevent UV from reaching the eyes. The presence of a polarizing filter on the glass does not mean that the glass has UV filtering properties. The polarizing filter increases the clarity of the view by blocking only the rays reflected from the surface. This feature is useful for drivers and sailors, but is not recommended for pilots using LED displays. Because glasses with polarization filters ensure that the LED screens are not seen.”

Express that the risk of developing cancer in the eyes, the skin around the eyes and the eyelids, as well as in the intraocular tissues, which are exposed to excessive UV rays, increases. Ertürk UV rays; He said that allergic conjunctivitis can cause pterygium, which is popularly called bird’s wings, damage to the cornea, the transparent layer of the eye and the formation of cataracts. He also added that UV rays can cause permanent deterioration of the macula in the retinal layer at the back of the eye, called the yellow spot, where visual acuity is delivered at its highest level and doesn’t improve even with glasses .

“The effect of UV rays is 3 times greater in summer”

Emphasizing that UVA and UVB radiation is at least 3 times higher in summer than in other months, it is imperative to wear sunglasses, especially on the beach, by the sea and at high altitudes. Ertürk stated that due to surface reflection it is necessary to use sunglasses in water sports and snow activities.

Noting that children are more exposed to sunlight than we are in the same environment, Dr Ertürk said that sun rays are one of the biggest causes of allergies in children; He also said that the use of glasses is very important for children. Dr. Ertürk said, “A soft cotton cloth or special optical cleaning products are preferable to wiping with whatever you have in your hand.”

Dr. As a result, Ertürk said that sunglasses increase vision clarity, prevent eye strain and, most importantly, protect our eyes from harmful UV rays from the sun; for this reason, he recommended wearing sunglasses not only in summer, but also in other seasons, in weather with sunlight reflections.