Montrealers looking for a good-looking pair of shades that also cut down on the sun’s glare without breaking the bank might not be getting all the protection they need.
Exposure to two different types of ultraviolet light are more prevalent today than they were 30 years ago, according to optometrist Brian Goldberg.
UVA rays can cause diseases such as cataracts and UVB rays can cause cancer around the eyelids. That’s why having a good pair of lenses in your sunglasses is essential.
“It's a necessity at this point when we have so much exposure to the ultraviolet (rays) that it can cause these eye diseases and blinding diseases in some cases,” he said.
While some people are inclined to buy the cheapest pair of sunglasses they find on a drugstore rack, you probably won’t be getting the protection you need unless you pay a few extra dollars.
“It's not the five dollar pair of sunglasses that you should get, like the type of things that my mom bought me when I was a little kid,” he said. “Those lenses are not what they're supposed to be. They're not made in the same way.”
While looking cool in the heat is a priority, your shades shouldn’t just be a summer fling, according to Goldberg.
“The ultraviolet light reflects off the snow and the wet roads to a larger degree than it does in the summer time,” he said. “So sun glasses are really an absolute necessity all year round.”
