Small sunglasses, but do they protect your eyes?

Small sunglasses are back in fashion, but before joining this trend, ask yourself if these mini fashion accessories are safe and effective and whether they offer sufficient protection.

Small sunglasses can allow fashionistas to make a bold statement with their glasses, but experts are concerned that these glasses leave behind parts of the eyes. exposed to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and therefore offer only limited coverage. This raises further concerns about the long-term consequences of prolonged exposure to UV rays, including visual impairments and eye injuries.

What is UV?

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is divided into three types: UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. About 95% of the UV rays that reach the Earth are UV-A rays, with the remaining 5% being UV-B rays.

• UV-A rays have the least energy and are mainly linked to long-term skin damage, like wrinkles; They are also thought to play a role in some skin cancers, as they can cause indirect DNA damage.
• UV-B rays are the main rays that cause sunburn. They also directly damage the DNA of skin cells and are thought to be the cause of most skin cancers.
• UV-C rays have the highest energy and are the most harmful, but they tend to react with ozone existing in the atmosphere, which means they are a factor in lower risk to eye health and for skin damage.

Risk to eye health

Do you know that eyes are 10 times more sensitive to UV rays than the skin? And, according to the Eyecare Trust, children’s eyes are at greater risk of damage from UV rays: larger pupils and clearer lenses mean that 70% more UV light can reach a child’s retina.

Rosie Gavzey, independent optometrist and member of the board of directors of the Eyecare Trust, says: “Sunglasses aren’t just for keeping you cool when it’s hot. They’re also offer your eyes vital protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays. Exposure to UV radiation from the sun can lead to a condition similar to sunburn called photokeratitis, which is typically a temporary but uncomfortable condition. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s harmful invisible rays can accelerate the aging of the macula, the most sensitive part of the retina where light rays are focused, and, in some cases, can also favor the development of cataracts.”

Gavey adds: “If you buy sunglasses for your kids, make sure the lenses are large enough to protect your eyes from light coming in from the side and front. Preventive action in the first years of life will protect your eyes for the future life“.

Research has shown that smaller sunglasses offer less sun protection. The smallest lenses have a smaller surface area to protect eyes, which means greater exposure to UV rays for users. Smaller frames also allow peripheral light to penetrate the edges of the frames, compromising their ability to provide adequate protection against harmful UV rays, with exposure to light This can cause the eyes to droop, causing discomfort, tiredness and eye fatigue.

The perfect match?

Experts say that while small sunglasses may be “in,” it’s important to remember that small sunglasses must comply with safety standards and provide adequate coverage to protect against the cumulative effects of UV radiation.

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So what should you choose? Sunglasses must provide 100% UV or UV400 protectionor block UV-A and UV-B rays, and the Eyecare Trust suggests looking for the CE mark or British standard BSEN 1836:2005.

News reference:

Backes, C., Religi, A., Moccozet, L. et al. (2019) Sun exposure to the eyes: predicted UV protection effectiveness of various sunglasses. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology