Sunglasses have enjoyed immense popularity over time. This is in part because tinted eyewear can enhance the quality of your vision. On a bright sunny day the retina in the back of your eye becomes saturated and your ability to judge contrast sensitivity, or discern fine detail, is reduced. Sunglasses essentially help you to eliminate the ‘visual noise’ to enhance your visual performance. In addition, proper sunglasses can protect the eye from potentially harmful blue light.

Blue light

Over time, the so-called “Blue Light Hazard” damages the macular region of the retina where we get our sharpest vision and can also play a role in the development of age related eye diseases. Blue light is a growing concern with younger generations as it is sourced by a number of common man-made devices like smartphones, tablets, computers, compact fluorescent and LED lighting. There is also speculation that extensive blue light exposure can play a role in the development of myopia (nearsightedness) in children and young adults. While sunglasses are very helpful in protecting against blue light exposure in outdoor settings, they are not designed to be used indoors where most man-made blue light sources exist.

Zeaxanthin and lutein are naturally occurring nutrients that can nourish and build the part of the retina responsible for sharp vision. Zeaxanthin and Lutein create the yellow pigmentation in the macula, which essentially functions like a pair of “internal sunglasses”, protecting and enhancing your vision quality. If this pigmentation is too thin, blue light can penetrate the retina and cause damage over time, leading to visual decline. Taking vitamins with these nutrients provides an effective natural method of increasing the eye’s defense against blue light, and also offers additional benefits for those who can’t always use sunglasses.

The popularity and presence of artificial blue light sources and outdoor activities suggests that most people would benefit from these methods to reduce exposure. Well-designed sunglasses and dietary supplementation with zeaxanthin and lutein provide both external and internal protection from the effects of blue light exposure.

Dr. Graham Erickson, OD, is a leader in the sports vision community, having worked with some of the biggest names and franchises in amateur and professional sports. He is the author of the book: Sports Vision: Vision Care For the Enhancement of Sports Performance.

Learn more about protecting your vision here!