Sunburned: How to Protect Your Eyes
Not just our skin, but our eyes also 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 of us automatically apply sunscreen to protect our skin from damage. But the intense summer sun can also be dangerous for our eyes. The Eye Foundation warns of this. UV radiation can lead to diseases such as Pterygium or melanoma of the conjunctiva and cataracts.
Sunglasses should be a standard
But these damages can be avoided by protecting our eyes from the sun, especially when the UV index is over 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 is 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 1000 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 provide a clear representation of the surroundings and do not shatter in case of a fall are preferred, according to the foundation.
And: Especially during the intense midday hours, it is recommended to stay in the shade or in closed rooms to avoid intense sunlight.
The Eye Foundation emphasizes the importance of protective sunglasses, recommending glasses with the CE mark to ensure sufficient UV protection. For effective eye protection, larger sunglasses that shield from above and the sides are advised, especially in holiday destinations like seaside and mountains where UV intensity increases.
To further safeguard our eyes, the Foundation suggests considering impact resistance and optical quality, especially for sports activities. It also advises choosing models that offer a clear view and do not shatter upon impact.
