- With Mayo Clinic emeritus ophthalmologist
Dennis Robertson, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
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 United States 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 Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., in 1967.
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.
He retired from full time clinical practice in July 2004. In August 2005, he returned to work part-time at the Mayo Clinic until retiring again in December 2007.
Staying healthy (12)
- Will an air purifier eliminate cigarette smoke?
- Cellphones and cancer: What's the risk?
- Sitting risks: How harmful is too much sitting?
- see all in Staying healthy
Dental care (7)
- Dental floss vs. water pick: Which is better?
- Sensitive teeth: What treatments are available?
- Electric toothbrush: Better than a manual toothbrush?
- see all in Dental care
Skin care (9)
- Hydrated skin: Does drinking water help?
- Shaving hair: Does shaved hair grow back thicker?
- Foods for healthy skin: Top picks
- see all in Skin care
Nail care (4)
- Nail biting: Does it cause long-term damage?
- Nail ridges: Cause for concern?
- Split fingernails: Can they be prevented?
- see all in Nail care
Eye care (2)
- Choosing sunglasses: Is UV protection important?
- Eye exam: Is a laser retina scan worthwhile?
Sleep (7)
- Melatonin side effects: What are the risks?
- Sleep aids: Could antihistamines help me sleep?
- Sleep and weight gain: What's the connection?
- see all in Sleep
Mental health (2)
- Stop multitasking and learn how to focus
- Passive-aggressive behavior: What are the red flags?
Healthy at work (4)
- Shift work: Improving daytime sleep
- Sitting risks: How harmful is too much sitting?
- Leg pain after prolonged standing or sitting: A concern?
- see all in Healthy at work
Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
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 eyelid but also the cornea, lens and other parts of the eye. UV exposure also contributes to the development of certain types of cataracts and possibly macular degeneration.
When you're choosing sunglasses, look for UV-protection details on product labels. Choose sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. Skip sunglasses that neglect to offer details about their UV protection. Keep in mind that the color and degree of darkness sunglasses provide have nothing to do with the sunglasses' ability to block UV rays. Also, opt for wraparound sunglasses or close-fitting sunglasses with wide lenses that protect your eyes from every angle.
Standard prescription eyeglasses in the U.S. are treated to provide UV protection while retaining a clear, nontinted appearance. Some contact lenses also offer UV protection, but should be worn in combination with sunglasses to maximize protection.
Of course, UV protection isn't the only consideration when it comes to selecting sunglasses. In addition to UV protection, consider these extras:
- Blue-blocking lenses. Blue-blocking lenses can make distant objects easier to see, especially in snow or haze. They're popular with skiers, boaters and hunters. Lenses that block all blue light are tinted amber.However, when driving, it's recommended that tinted sunglasses be gray to ensure proper traffic light recognition.
- Polarized lenses. Polarized lenses reduce reflected glare, such as sunlight that bounces off snow or water. They're useful for skiing, driving and fishing.
- Photochromic lenses. These lenses darken or lighten as the amount of available light changes. However, they take time to adjust to different light conditions.
- Polycarbonate lenses. Polycarbonate lenses offer impact protection during potentially hazardous sports and activities.
- Mirror-coated lenses. Mirror-coated lenses reduce visible light.
- Gradient lenses. Single-gradient lenses, which are dark on the top and lighter on the bottom, reduce glare while allowing you to see clearly. They're useful for driving, but not sports. Double-gradient lenses are dark on the top and bottom and lighter in the middle. They're useful to wear during water or winter sports, but not for driving.
Eye exam: Is a laser retina scan worthwhile?
- Wang SQ, et al. Photoprotection: A review of the current and future technologies. Dermatologic Therapy. 2010;23:31.
- Tuchinda C, et al. Photoprotection by window glass, automobile glass, and sunglasses. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2006;54:845.
- Sunglasses. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.aao.org/aaoesite/eyemd/upload/Sunglasses. Accessed Feb. 15, 2013.
- UV protection. American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/uv-protection.xml. Accessed Feb. 15, 2013.
- UV protection with contact lenses. American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/x12724.xml. Accessed Feb 15, 2013.
- Prevent eye damage: Protect yourself from UV radiation. http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/. Accessed Feb. 6, 2013.
- Shopping guide for sunglasses. American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/documents/SunglassShoppingGuide0810.pdf. Accessed Feb. 15, 2013.
- Walsh JE, et al. Does the eye benefit from wearing ultraviolet-blocking contact lenses? Eye & Contact Lens. 2011;37:267.
- Robertson DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 27, 2013.
Find Mayo Clinic on