Here on the planet earth, largely hairless creatures like humans are menaced by rays from the sun, particularly rays of ultraviolet light. While ultraviolet sounds cool, it’s actually hot, and exposure to ultraviolet rays can increase the likelihood of skin cancer and macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness for people over 65. The New York Times Patient Money column reports on the risk to our sight, with a warning of the particularly acute risk in a snow covered landscape. Happily, the Times reminds us that much of the risk can be eliminated by wearing the right kind of sunglasses. What kind are the right kind? The Times offers these tips:
Check the labels and tags, and buy sunglasses that provide at least “98 percent UV protection†or “block 98 percent of UVA and UVB rays.†If there is no label, or it says something vague like “UV absorbing†or “blocks most UV light,†don’t buy them. For the best protection, buy sunglasses that “block all UV radiation up to 400 nanometers.â€Â