Should Elderly People Wear Sunglasses?
Eyecare is of increasing importance the older you get, and the elderly can be more prone than most to eye problems, especially those related to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. At Mountain Eye Care, we are always encouraging our patients to wear sunglasses year-round to help prevent UV rays from harming their eyes. At our vision care facility, we have a large selection of sunglasses from some of the industry’s most popular and reputable brands. In this article by Mountain Eye Care, we share some information about whether or not elderly people should wear sunglasses.
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When should elderly people wear sunglasses?
Sunglasses can be worn when outdoors in pretty much any kind of weather and, as long as they have 100% UV protection, the elderly can be sure their eyes are safe. It’s important not to confuse UV protection with other types of lenses. Polarised lenses, for example, will cut down glare, especially from horizontal reflective surfaces, but polarization in itself will not stop UV rays from reaching the eyes. Similarly, polychromic lenses will darken as the light gets brighter, but again, there is no inherent UV protection here. It’s even the same with mirror-coated lenses; they may reflect lots of light, but the light that gets through may still contain harmful UV rays.
How can sunglasses protect the vision of the elderly
Eyesight tends to get worse with age, and many older people report blurred or limited vision, which can worsen as the years roll by. Regular and prolonged exposure to sunlight can contribute to some of the problems. The most common is irritation of the cornea, known as keratitis, and clouding of the lens caused by cataracts. Cataracts are a prevalent eye problem for the elderly, and the impact of excessive sunlight is a factor in the growth of this condition. Age-related macular degeneration, a common cause of blindness in the elderly may also be linked to the exposure of eyes to high-energy UV light rays.
If you are elderly and you are wondering if you should be wearing sunglasses while you are out and about during the day, then we encourage you to get in touch with our team at Mountain Eye Care. You can also visit our vision care facility and get assistance with choosing the right sunglasses for you!
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