Sunglasses

The answer is D. Go ahead and sport all the flashy or subdued colored sunglasses you want because the color doesn’t matter. What is important is how much UV radiation it blocks from the sun. Sunglasses don't have to have a dark tint to offer 100% UV protection and are no more effective at protecting your eyes than light ones. UV protection is independent of both color and color density.

Gray, brown and green tinted glasses will not interfere much with the way you see color as much as other tints; but these colors do not affect the amount of UV light that reaches the eyes.

To protect your eyes, go for sunglasses that provide at least 98% protection from both UVA and UVB rays. The best kinds of sunglasses block all UV light and are marked either "UV 400" or "100% UV protection."

About 50 percent of sunlight comes from overhead and so it is a good idea to wear a brimmed cap or hat and sport wraparound sunglasses to minimize the amount of harmful sunrays entering the eyes.

Resources:

Frequently asked questions about sunglasses from Prevent Blindness America.

Learn why ultraviolet rays are dangerous.

Get the lowdown on prescription sunglasses.

July 12, 2003