- With Mayo Clinic emeritus ophthalmologist
Dennis Robertson, M.D.
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Dennis Robertson, M.D.
Dennis Robertson, M.D.
Dennis M. Robertson was born in South St. Paul, Minn., and grew up in a musical family on the Mississippi River. He completed his undergraduate and graduate training at the University of Minnesota, where he received a B.A., B.S. and M.D.
Following an internship at San Bernardino County Hospital in California, he worked for two years on Indian reservations under the umbrella of the U.S. Public Health Service. He later completed a residency in ophthalmology at Mayo Clinic and pursued postgraduate fellowship training in vitreoretinal disorders at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. He returned to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., where he worked as a consultant from 1967 until retiring from clinical activities in December 2007.
His studies included a sabbatical during 1987 and 1988 at Moorfields and St. Bartholomew’s hospitals in London. His scientific interests have been chiefly in disorders of the retina and vitreous and ocular oncology. In 1999, he became the recipient of the Whitney and Betty MacMillan Professorship.
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Question
Choosing sunglasses: Is UV protection important?
When you're choosing sunglasses, does UV protection matter?
Answer
from Dennis Robertson, M.D.
Yes, ultraviolet (UV) eye protection matters. UV radiation from the sun can damage not only the skin of your eyelids but also the clear outer parts of the eye — the cornea and conjunctiva. UV exposure also contributes to the development of certain types of cataracts.
When you're choosing sunglasses, look for UV protection details on product labels. Choose sunglasses that block at least 99 percent of UVB rays and at least 95 percent of UVA rays. This level of UV protection is in accordance with guidelines established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Skip sunglasses that are labeled "cosmetic" and those that don't offer details on UV protection.
Of course, UV protection isn't the only consideration when it comes to selecting sunglasses. In addition to UV protection — which, again, is a must for any type of sunglasses — here's the lowdown on other options:
- Blue-blocking lenses. Blue-blocking lenses — which are typically yellow or orange — are thought to make distant objects easier to see, especially in low light. Blue-blocking plastic lenses may make it difficult to discriminate the hues in traffic lights, however, and not all blue-blocking lenses offer adequate UV protection.
- Polarized lenses. Polarized lenses reduce glare. Unless they're specifically treated with UV coating, polarized lenses don't offer UV protection.
- Photochromic lenses. Photochromic lenses reduce glare and help maintain clarity, although they may take time to adjust to different light conditions. Not all photochromic lenses offer adequate UV protection, so be sure to check the product label.
- Polycarbonate lenses. Polycarbonate lenses offer protection from impact injuries that may be sustained during physical activities. Polycarbonate lenses also adequately shield the eyes from UV radiation.
- Mirror-coated lenses. Mirror-coated lenses help block visible light, but they don't necessarily block UV radiation.
Standard prescription eyeglasses can also be treated with a material that provides UV protection while retaining a clear, nontinted appearance. Most rigid contact lenses also provide UV protection — but because contact lenses don't cover the entire eye, it's still important to wear sunglasses when you're outdoors.
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