You may wonder how hats help protect your eyes. Have you always felt that sunglasses were all the protection you needed? The latest research indicates that you will get the best protection from the sun’s damaging rays when you wear the right sunglasses and the right hat.
Just What Do the Sun’s Rays Do?
Warnings to wear sunglasses and hats are sometimes not strong enough. You need to know that harmful rays from the sun can cause cataracts, macular degeneration, and other diseases of the eyes. These problems do not occur all at once. They build up over time. As you age, a lifetime of sun exposure will result in severe eye problems.
There are three types of UV radiation emitted from the sun. The strongest – UVC – is normally absorbed in the ozone before it has a chance to damage our eyes or our skin.
Damaging UVB rays lead to photokeratitis – similar to sunburn on your cornea, cataracts, and pterygium. UVB rays can even lead to a form of skin cancer on the eyes but it is very rare.1
UVA rays enter the retina. The retina is located at the back of the eye. It is a delicate membrane. Fortunately, most of the UVA rays are absorbed before reaching the retina.2
Sunlight is the number one source of UV rays. But do fall into the trap of wearing protective eyewear only on sunny days. UV rays can reflect off of smooth reflective surfaces such as snow, concrete, and sand. They can reflect off of water.
You must also consider the time of day that you are outdoors. The sun’s UV rays are stronger during different times of the day. Of course, the sun is highest and most dangerous at noon. The general thought is that you should wear one-hundred percent protection from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You must protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays every month of the year. The Centers of Disease Control offers some advice on generally protecting yourself from the sun:3
- Find shade
- Protective clothing
- Hat with wide brim
- Wraparound sunglasses, 100 percent UVA/UVB protection
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher UVA/UVB protection
Finding shade allows you to lower your risk of damage to your eyes and the damage to your skin. There are many ways to get shade, even if you are not near a tree. You can find shade under an umbrella or any type of shelter that offers relief from the sun’s rays.
Protective clothing must cover all of your exposed skin. It is suggested that the clothing be made from a tight weave fabric so the sun will not get through the weave. Protective clothing is now available with sun protection built in. Look for clothing with UPF ratings to find protective wear offering built in sun protection.
Hats are one of the least utilized, but best protectors, against the sun’s rays. Choose a hat with a wide brim that goes all around the entire hat. The brim should shade your face, your ears, and the back of your neck. Like other protective clothing, the hat should be constructed of tightly woven fabric. Canvas is an excellent material for sun protection. Straw offers little to no protection. In addition to wearing a hat, add an extra layer of protection by using sunscreen on your neck, head, ears, face, and scalp.4
Sunglasses are an important weapon in your fight to protect your eyes. They help reduce the risk of cataracts and protect the delicate skin around your eyes. Choose sunglasses that are broad spectrum and block UVA/UVB rays. They must block one hundred percent of all UV rays.
Sunscreen is essential. Knowing that even a short time in the sun can damage your skin on cloudy days you must apply sunscreen every day. Sunscreens are labeled with an SPF factor that rates how effective they are at blocking UV rays. To ensure the safety of your skin you should never use lower a sunscreen with SPF below 15.
The UV Index5
The Environmental Protection Agency in partnership with the National Weather Service has created the UV Index. This scale lets you know what the sun’s potential damage is on any given day. There are several ways to access this information. The UV Index is available online, it is available in newspapers, and it is often included in the weather report on local news stations.6
The UV Index runs from 2 to 11. 2 is lowest, least serious rating on the scale. A UV Index of 2 calls for sunglasses and sunscreen.
A UV Index rating of 3 to 5 is moderate. This lets you know that you are at a moderate risk from UV rays when you are outside. This rating calls for sunglasses and sunscreen. If you burn easily you may choose to wear a hat.
A rating of 6 to 7 is considered high. You will need a hat with a wide brim in addition to sunglasses and sunscreen. Protective clothing is also advisable.
A rating of 8 or above on the UV Index equals a high risk of exposure. You must take all measures of protection to keep safe. Hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, and protective clothing are vitally important.
Do you see how hats help protect your eyes? Do you understand the necessity of wearing protective clothing and sunglasses? The sun’s rays can be very damaging. You can protect yourself with true diligence.
References
1 Eye Cancer (Melanoma and Lymphoma), (2011) American Cancer Society. Retrieved from: www.cancer.org/Cancer/EyeCancer/DetailedGuide/eye-cancer-key-statistics
2 Ibid
3 Skin Cancer Prevention. (n.d.). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/prevention.htm#3
4 Which style of hat provides the best sun protection? (16 November 2009) Australian Government – Department of Health and Ageing, Retrieved from: www.health.gov.au/internet/skincancer/publishing.nsf/Content/fact-hat
5 UV Index. (n.d.). United States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from: www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html
6 Ibid
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