Four Eyes
For years I was under the impression that I could purchase a pair of sunglasses on my way out of the pharmacy and my eyes would be protected - I mean the glasses always have that little "100% UV protection" sticker, right? Well...wrong. A recent conversation with an optometrist opened my eyes to the fact that the UV protection on a pair of inexpensive sunglasses is not the same as the protection you get from a good pair of sunglasses. Apparently, inexpensive sunglasses are sprayed with a UV film which, over time, will peel and fade. (If you're like me, and keep sunglasses jostling around in your purse, chances are the film is long gone.) Good sunglasses, purchased at a store that specializes in glasses, have UV protection built
into the lens. The danger with a bad pair of sunglasses is that a dark lens makes our pupils dilate, thus letting in more UV rays (and yes, you can get melanoma in your eyes). If you're wearing dark glasses with a worn-down, peeled-off UV film, you're doing more harm than good.
Tip: Most optical shops have a UV meter to test the amount of UV protection in sunglasses. If you have a pair you're wondering about, take them in. Many places will test for free!