A recent study by the American Optometric Association found only 13 percent of adults ages 30 to 39 and 16 percent of teenagers thought UV protection was an important factor when purchasing sunglasses.

“Most people are unaware that long-term exposure to sunlight can be very damaging to the eyes,” says Karla Zadnik, OD, PhD, Associate Dean at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, Medical Director of Realeyes and President of the American Academy of Optometry.

Regular application of sunscreen to your skin is important, but wearing sunglasses with UV protection is also important. Exposure to the sun accumulates over time in the eyes, heightening the risk cataracts (cloudy/blurry vision that affects 50 percent  of Americans over age 65), macular degeneration (loss of central vision and the leading cause of blindness in America), pterygium (growth of tissue over the white part of the eye that can alter vision) and photokeratitis (sunburn to the eyes).

“Even a few hours of intense, unprotected exposure can have consequences,” Dr. Zadnik said.

A common misconception often heard by optometrists is the idea that sunglasses with darker lenses protect your eyes better than lighter lenses. In fact, the darkness of the lens does not matter. The important factor is the amount of UV-A and UV-B protection.

Look for sunglasses with 99-100 percent UV protection. Wear sunglasses on cloudy or winter days as well, because even though the sun does not seem as strong, our eyes still need UV protection. Keep in mind that even while wearing sunglasses it is unsafe to look directly at the sun.

The survey found that only 29 percent of parents make sure their children wear sunglasses while outdoors. Children’s eyes have more transparent corneas and lenses than the fully developed eyes of adults, Dr. Zadnik said. As a result, children’s eyes let in more UV rays, putting them at greater risk for vision complications from sun damage. Here are five ways to protect your eyes when outdoors:

1. Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light.

2. Request prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses that provide UVA and UVB protection.

3. Select eyeglass frame styles that wrap around the eyes to the temples to reduce the sun’s rays from entering through the sides.

4. Encourage children and teenagers to wear protective sunglasses and hats while outdoors.

5. Limit outdoor exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays are most intense.

The Ohio Optometric Association created Realeyes, a program where local optometrists educate children on the importance of vision health and teach them how to protect their eyes. Realeyes is offered free of charge through a grant funded by the Ohio Department of Health Save Our Sight fund.

For more information or to schedule a Realeyes presentation, contact the Ohio Optometric Association at 800-874-9111.

To locate an optometrist in your community visit www.ooa.org.

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