Sunglasses

2023/07/28

Makoto Inoue

Professor of Ophthalmology, Kyorin University School of Medicine; 1989 medical sciences

Short-wavelength light, such as ultraviolet rays, is mostly absorbed by the tear film on the eye surface and the cornea. UV rays that pass through the cornea are absorbed by the lens. Therefore, known eye disorders caused by UV rays include ultraviolet keratitis, pterygium, and cataracts. Ultraviolet keratitis is an acute superficial keratitis that occurs after exposure to strong UV rays, causing eye pain and tearing. A typical example is snow blindness, which is caused by the reflection of UV rays from snow surfaces. Pterygium, in which conjunctival tissue invades the cornea from the periphery, causes vision impairment if it progresses to the center of the cornea. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens that causes vision impairment as they progress.

UV care refers to protecting the skin and eyes from ultraviolet rays. Sunglasses reduce bright light from strong sunlight and play an important role in UV care. The key is to choose sunglasses with appropriate UV protection. UV400 means that the lenses block light with wavelengths below 400nm (UV-A and UV-B), which are harmful to the eyes. Choose UV400 sunglasses for your UV care.

Misako Morita

Public Relations, New College, University of New South Wales; Sydney Mita-kai Member; 2009 Law and Politics

"Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide!"—this is a widely recognized slogan in Australia used to promote behaviors that protect against UV rays. "When going out, slip on a long-sleeved shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade, and don't forget to slide on some sunglasses!" A friend who grew up here told me that since childhood, teachers and parents always told them this whenever they played outdoors. It is important for everyone, regardless of age or gender, and regardless of the season—a set of five essential tools, so to speak. By the way, sunglasses are also casually called "Sunnies."

Two years have already passed since I was captivated by Sydney, surrounded by the sea and greenery under a clear blue sky, and found a job in this city. The water's surface sparkles in the morning and evening light. Native flowers catch the eye vividly on ordinary streets in residential areas. Colorful birds chirp with mysterious voices. All of it is so beautiful that I hate to blink, but today, to protect myself, I will enjoy the view through my sunnies, even while thinking, "I wish I could keep looking at this directly."

Hironori Ito

Associate Professor, Kumamoto University; Film Scholar/Critic; 2013 Law

"This world is too bright for me." A friend I hadn't seen in a long time gave me a suspicious look the moment he saw me. I couldn't exactly say something so pretentious to explain why I was wearing sunglasses. Feeling awkward, I blurted out an excuse: "...I know they don't suit me." "As long as you know," my friend replied.

The look of "The Matrix" film series is undoubtedly defined by sunglasses, and eyes play a symbolic role throughout. Immediately after waking up from virtual reality, Neo says, "My eyes hurt." This is because it is his first time actually using them. In the third film, "Revolutions," Agent Smith blinds him, but this allows him to see the true form of the world. When Smith finally explodes due to the Oracle's scheme, the flash of light overflowing from his eyes first pierces through his sunglasses. The film concludes with a sunrise that the young girl Sati prepared for Neo. It was a scene of dazzling beauty.

Genichi Nakano

Ultimate Frisbee Athlete; 2017 Economics

I am currently competing in the world's only professional league in the United States as a player of Ultimate, a sport using a flying disc (so-called Frisbee).

In continuing this sport, which has an exercise intensity comparable to soccer or basketball, I have focused not only on physical aspects like stamina and muscle strength—and the training, nutrition, and sleep quality that support them—but also on my "eyes." Have you ever heard terms like kinetic visual acuity or depth perception? In the field of sports medicine, this is also called sports vision. Since these are also physical functions, it is important to care for them just as one trains them. Although I have fewer opportunities to wear them now due to changes in my playing style, there were times when I tried to protect my eyes as much as possible from the scorching sun and UV rays with sunglasses.

Of course, I don't think this is an issue only for athletes. You should worry not only about skin sunburn but also about eye sunburn. Why not be mindful of that this summer?