Eye Conditions

The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends the use of sunglasses that block 99-100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays to protect the eyes from this radiation. However, many sunglasses styles do not protect the eyes from the solar radiation entering from the sides or around sunglasses.

Some contact lenses offer additional protection. These contact lenses absorb UV radiation by reducing the amount of radiation that reaches the surface of eye. The contact lenses also protect the eye from the radiation that comes from above or around the sides of sunglasses.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has standards for UV-blocking contact lenses based on American National Standards Institute Z80.20 standards. There are two classifications of UV-blocking lenses:

• FDA Class I blocker. recommended for high exposure environments such as mountains or beaches. The lenses in this classification must block more than:
  • 90% of UVA (316-380 nm wavelengths) and
  • 99% of UVB (280 – 315 nm)
• FDA Class II blocker. recommended for general purposes. These lenses must block more than:
  • 70% of UVA and
  • 95% of UVB

People who wear contact lenses and do not wear wrap-style sunglasses can further protect themselves from UV radiation by wearing contact lenses that block UV.

CHRPE - Congenital Hypertrophic Retinal Pigment Epithelium (NORMAL)