Many people believe that sunglasses are only necessary when the sun is shining from a clear blue sky. However, UV radiation can also reach the eyes on cloudy days.
For that reason, ophthalmologist Willem Birkhoff from Het Oogziekenhuis Rotterdam recommends in an interview with RTL that people wear sunglasses whenever they also need sunscreen.
This is especially important for children, as their eyes are more sensitive to UV radiation.
Choose the right pair
Expensive sunglasses do not necessarily provide better protection than inexpensive ones.
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According to Willem Birkhoff, the most important thing is that the sunglasses carry the CE mark and preferably have a UV400 filter, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
He also warns against buying sunglasses from webshops outside Europe.
If the lenses are dark but lack adequate UV protection, they may actually increase the risk of eye damage.
Can you still get enough vitamin D?
There are several myths about sunglasses. One of them is that they can reduce the body's production of vitamin D.
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According to Willem Birkhoff, this is not true because vitamin D is produced in the skin, not through the eyes.
He also believes that sunglasses have only a very limited effect on the body's circadian rhythm.
The primary reason for wearing sunglasses is to protect the eyes from UV radiation.
According to Willem Birkhoff, many years of UV exposure can increase the risk of conditions such as cataracts and age-related damage to the retina.
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These conditions develop gradually and are often not detected until many years later.
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