Ultraviolet radiation is known to be one of the risk factors for developing macular degeneration, or for the progression of the disease in those already diagnosed. To help prevent this harm, it is strongly recommended to wear proper protective eyewear.
However, there is some confusion about when one should wear light blocking eyewear, and what type, so let’s clear that up.
Sunglasses and UV Protection
The biggest source of damaging UV rays is sunlight, so you should ALWAYS where sunglasses when you’re outside, or in a car. UV light is still present on cloudy days, so yes, you should wear sunglasses on cloudy days too!
The best sunglasses for macular degeneration protection:
- Block 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation
- Have more surface area. Large sunglasses are better than small, and wrap-arounds are best as they will block light that can enter from the sides, top, and bottom. Wrap-arounds can also be worn over your regular glasses.
- Have anti-glare coating or polarized lenses. People with AMD are often more sensitive to glare.1
You might also consider amber or grey tinted lenses.
Be aware: misleading claims about certain glasses providing UV protection can be easily confusing to consumers. A pair of glasses might be labeled UV absorbent, for example, but the label might not indicate exactly how much UVA and UVB rays are blocked. Sunglasses should be labeled UV 400. It is recommended that you protect yourself from UV radiation up to 400 nanometers, which extends into part of the visible spectrum to ensure complete blockage of ultraviolet light. This is what distinguishes “cheap” sunglasses from more expensive ones.
Blue Light Blocking Glasses
There is still much debate and misunderstanding on whether the blue light emitted from our electronic devices (LED lighting, televisions, smart phones, computers, and tablets) is strong enough to cause damage, AND whether blue light blocking glasses help or hurt. Let’s take a closer look.
Because the most damaging part of sunlight is the light that’s on the blue part of the spectrum, it has been assumed that all blue light is damaging. However, the blue light emitted from our manufactured devices are not nearly as strong as the blue light emitted from the sun. There is little evidence that electronically emitted blue light is damaging, and even were it to be damaging, most of the claims for blue-light blocking lenses has been over-stated. In fact, some of the companies selling blue-light blocking glasses have been sued for false claims.
Recent research has found no strong evidence that the blue light emitted from electronics is strong enough to damage the retina.2 To put it in perspective, blue light from the sun is 1,000 times stronger.
Verdict
Wear the most protective sunglasses you can buy when outside at all times, but skip the expense on indoor blue-light blocking glasses designed for protection against electronic blue light and save your money.
References
- https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/sunglasses-glasses-amd-macular-degeneration. ↩︎
- Singh S, Keller PR, Busija L, McMillan P, Makrai E, Lawrenson JG, Hull CC, Downie LE. Blue‐light filtering spectacle lenses for visual performance, sleep, and macular health in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2023, Issue 8. Art. No.: CD013244. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013244.pub2. Accessed 04 November 2024. ↩︎