Health. Sunglasses: What are the consequences of insufficient protection?

The Visual Health Barometer – conducted by OpinionWay for the National Association for the Improvement of Sight (AsnaV) – highlights a persistent misunderstanding: while 82% of French people own sunglasses, 74% of them are unaware of their actual level of protection. Worse still, 40% believe they are well protected simply because their lenses are dark.

Certain profiles are particularly exposed. Children, whose eyes allow more UV rays to pass through, are more susceptible to retinal damage.

Outdoor workers exposed to high light intensity must wear glasses appropriate for their position and environment. And generally speaking, 40% of adults are poorly equipped: their glasses do not provide effective protection against UV rays.

Light is essential: it regulates sleep-wake rhythms and promotes normal eye growth in children. But in excess, it becomes harmful. Prolonged exposure to UV rays, without proper protection, impairs visual health.

• In the short term, glare reduces visual abilities. To maintain eye comfort without disrupting exposure to natural light, light must be filtered with tinted lenses adapted to the environment.

• In the long term, the damage worsens. “As with the skin, the effect of UV rays on the eyes is cumulative. Prolonged or excessive exposure, especially from childhood, increases the risk of cataracts in adulthood and ocular surface pathologies,” explains Dr. Barbara Ameline, ophthalmologist (Paris).

Over time, the risk of developing eyelid cancer increases, as does that of ocular surface diseases, cataracts (1 in 5 people from the age of 65, almost 2 in 3 after the age of 85), or even age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Irreversible, it causes a progressive loss of central vision. It affects 1 in 10 people before the age of 75 and 1 in 4 after.

– To ensure effective protection, the pair of glasses must have the CE marking, a filtration index, and a leaflet detailing the product's characteristics and its manufacturing traceability. Even cheap sunglasses sold in supermarkets can protect the eyes, provided they have the CE marking and a filtration index. The quality of vision can then be satisfactory. However, be wary of glasses sold on the sly.

– The darker the lens, the more it filters light rays, which reduces light transmission and gives the impression of seeing less well. The choice depends on the UV index of the day and the location: the greater the reflection of the sun's rays (snow, sand, etc.), the darker the lens should be. Be careful, lenses that are simply colored, and not filtering, can give a false impression of protection: the pupil can be fooled by the darker side of the lenses and open, letting too much UV into the eye.

– Adapt the choice to the context: at altitude or by the sea, enhanced protection is necessary. Sunglasses are classified into five categories, from 0 to 4, according to their ability to filter light. If you have to choose only one pair, which one should you choose? A category 3 filter offers good UV protection while maintaining satisfactory visibility thanks to lenses that are not too dark. This category is suitable for very sunny days. It is the recommended choice for children.

– Choose a covering frame: well-fitted to the face, it must block side rays and include anti-reflective filters.