The sun is an amazing force of energy that allows us to survive on earth, however it is also very harmful to humans if not protected. One of its main side effects is that it causes our eyes to develop cataracts, which can lead to blindness. More than 50% of people over the age of 60 have cataracts, showing that it is a major issue(1). If over exposed to the sun, it causes the lens of our eyes to become cloudy, leaving the image that it sends to the brain blurred and unfocused (a cataract). The effect of the sun on our eyes does not usually occur during one instance of heavy exposure, but occurs over multiple exposures, as it is a slow process of our vision degrading. “Many times, patients won’t know they have cataracts in the beginning...”
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However the main solution scientists and doctors have found for protecting eyes from developing cataracts, is wearing sunglasses. The light that the sun emits is called electromagnetic radiation. The radiation ranges from radio waves to gamma rays, and the three types of radiation that are dangerous to us are ultra-violet rays, x-rays, and gamma rays. However, for cataracts scientists are worried about UV light. This is the radiation that has slightly more energy than visible light, but is not visible, making humans susceptible to it and exposed (see Figure 1). Ultraviolet light or UV light is that which affects the lens of our eye, and if overexposed to it, can cause cataracts. Therefore it is important to have sunglasses that have 100% UV protection and a brownish tint (3). Sunglasses that are 100% UV protective are created using a film that absorbs UV rays, but still allows non harmful light to pass through. Brownish tint is important because these sunglasses are made specially to protect the eyes from exposure to UV light, as they have extra molecules in the glass/plastic that absorb higher frequency light (such as blue or violet) that can cause cataracts. In addition to the sunglasses being 100% UV protective and brown, they should also have large lenses that curve around one’s head. This is important so …show more content…
One of the main advantages to using sunglasses is, that even a great pair that completely blocks out UV light and is durable, costs less than $50. “For about $40, you can get a pair that offers 100% protection against ultra-violet rays” says Dr.Duker, director of the cornea surgery service at the Massachusetts Eye Infirmary(4). This shows that most people can afford to buy sunglasses that will protect their eyes from extensive sunlight damage. $40 is almost nothing compared to the cost of cataract surgery, which is done after one has developed cataracts. The surgery involves the doctors inserting a new lens into a patient’s eye, where the other one was distorted. A study done by AllAboutVision.com, states that the average cost of cataract surgery in 2012 was $3,429(5). That is a 85 times more expensive than the cost of a pair of sunglasses, as well as the fact that you will be in the hospital for multiple days recovering! As well as sunglasses being cheap to wear, they are also key to social popularity. A statistic done by Statista in 2012 shows that the amount of sunglasses sold that year was 95.9 million, 4.7 million more than the previous year(6). This means that the popularity of sunglasses has significantly increased over the years. Therefore by wearing sunglasses one is not only protecting their eyes from developing cataracts, but is also having a good sense of
However the main solution scientists and doctors have found for protecting eyes from developing cataracts, is wearing sunglasses. The light that the sun emits is called electromagnetic radiation. The radiation ranges from radio waves to gamma rays, and the three types of radiation that are dangerous to us are ultra-violet rays, x-rays, and gamma rays. However, for cataracts scientists are worried about UV light. This is the radiation that has slightly more energy than visible light, but is not visible, making humans susceptible to it and exposed (see Figure 1). Ultraviolet light or UV light is that which affects the lens of our eye, and if overexposed to it, can cause cataracts. Therefore it is important to have sunglasses that have 100% UV protection and a brownish tint (3). Sunglasses that are 100% UV protective are created using a film that absorbs UV rays, but still allows non harmful light to pass through. Brownish tint is important because these sunglasses are made specially to protect the eyes from exposure to UV light, as they have extra molecules in the glass/plastic that absorb higher frequency light (such as blue or violet) that can cause cataracts. In addition to the sunglasses being 100% UV protective and brown, they should also have large lenses that curve around one’s head. This is important so …show more content…
One of the main advantages to using sunglasses is, that even a great pair that completely blocks out UV light and is durable, costs less than $50. “For about $40, you can get a pair that offers 100% protection against ultra-violet rays” says Dr.Duker, director of the cornea surgery service at the Massachusetts Eye Infirmary(4). This shows that most people can afford to buy sunglasses that will protect their eyes from extensive sunlight damage. $40 is almost nothing compared to the cost of cataract surgery, which is done after one has developed cataracts. The surgery involves the doctors inserting a new lens into a patient’s eye, where the other one was distorted. A study done by AllAboutVision.com, states that the average cost of cataract surgery in 2012 was $3,429(5). That is a 85 times more expensive than the cost of a pair of sunglasses, as well as the fact that you will be in the hospital for multiple days recovering! As well as sunglasses being cheap to wear, they are also key to social popularity. A statistic done by Statista in 2012 shows that the amount of sunglasses sold that year was 95.9 million, 4.7 million more than the previous year(6). This means that the popularity of sunglasses has significantly increased over the years. Therefore by wearing sunglasses one is not only protecting their eyes from developing cataracts, but is also having a good sense of