How to Protect Your Eyes From the Sun
Not only our skin, but also our eyes need good protection from the sun. However, the sunglasses with the most heavily tinted lenses are often not the best choice for this.
Not a cloud in the sky, it's hot: Most people automatically apply sunscreen to protect their skin from damage. But the intense sunlight in summer can also be dangerous for our eyes. The Eye Foundation warns about this. UV radiation can lead to diseases such as Pterygium or melanoma of the conjunctiva and cataracts.
However, these damages can be prevented by protecting our eyes from the sun, especially when the UV index is above 3, a value often reached in the morning. And: "The further south you travel, the higher the UV index generally is," says Professor Dr. med. Gerd Geerling, director of the University Eye Clinic Düsseldorf and spokesperson for the Eye Foundation.
It is recommended to wear sunglasses with the CE mark, which guarantees that the glasses provide sufficient UV protection according to EU standards. Ideally, the glasses should also shield the eyes from above and the sides.
Protection is particularly important in the mountains and by the sea
In holiday regions like the sea or the mountains, extra caution is needed. The sun's rays are strongly reflected there, and the UV intensity increases due to the altitude. In the mountains, UV radiation can increase by 15 to 20 percent per 1,000 meters of altitude.
"Regardless of fashion trends, larger models that effectively shield the eyes from above and the sides should be chosen," advises Professor Dr. med. Frank Holz. He is the director of the University Eye Clinic Bonn and chairman of the Eye Foundation. This is especially important at typical holiday destinations by the sea and in the mountains, where a lot of sunlight is reflected from the surroundings.
Tips for buying sunglasses: When buying sunglasses, not only the UV protection and fit should be considered, but also the impact resistance and optical quality, especially if you engage in sporting activities. Models that represent the ground in high contrast and do not shatter in case of a fall are preferred, according to the foundation.
And: It is recommended to stay in the shade or in closed rooms as much as possible during the intense midday hours to avoid the intense sunlight.
Consumers should consider sunglasses with the CE mark to ensure sufficient UV protection, as they adhere to EU standards. Particularly in holiday destinations like the sea or mountains, where sunlight is strongly reflected and UV intensity increases, larger sunglasses that effectively shield the eyes from above and the sides are advised to provide optimal protection for consumers.
