Page 18 - MAYO CLINIC Head to Toe e-magazine 293700

• Use natural light wisely

Design skylights with light wells that provide reflected light, not
direct sunlight On windows, install blinds that allow you to direct
light upward to reflect off the ceiling This offers uniform illumina-
tion and minimizes glare
17 Protecting your eyes from the sun

Sunglasses protect your eyes from damage from ultraviolet (UV)
light Long-term exposure to UV light increases your chance of
cataracts Choose sunglasses that:
• Provide maximum protection from UV light

Choose lenses that block 99 to 100 percent of ultraviolet A (UVA)
and ultraviolet B (UVB) light Check the label
• Reduce glare
Choose sunglasses that are dark enough to reduce glare — light
that bounces off smooth surfaces such as pavement, water, sand
and snow — but not so dark that it’s hard to read traffic signals
Polarized lenses decrease glare, but make sure they also provide
maximum UV light protection
• Fit close to your face

To minimize UV light that can enter from the sides, buy wrap-
around sunglasses
• Meet your needs
Sunglasses that effectively block UV light don’t need to be
expensive If you wear glasses for vision problems, ask your eye
doctor about transition lenses that darken automatically when you’re
out in the sun However, it takes time for the lenses to darken and
lighten in different lighting conditions, so make sure these types of
lenses meet your needs

50 Head-to-Toe Health Tips 17