Sunglasses -- More than a Cool Pair of Shades

One of the reasons I like working with Googlers is that nothing that I say is taken at face value. This helps me to try to stay sharp. Not even my friends at Google cut me a break. I was walking outside in the bright California sun with my friend Simon when I asked him why was he not wearing his sunglasses, and didn't he want to protect his eyes from cataracts. Rather than simply agreeing with me, Simon wanted data. (Ok, maybe that's what I get for lecturing).

So here is the data. According to the US Preventive Services Task Forces "the prevalence of cataract increases with age. In persons aged 55-64 years, the Beaver Dam Eye Study found 33% with early cataract and 6% with late cataract in persons over 75 years these prevalences were 37% and 52%".

According to the National Eye Institute UV-B radiation from sunlight can increase the risk of cataracts, and it is suggested that wearing sunglasses that block UV light and/or a hat with a brim may help reduce the risk of developing cataracts. At least Simon wears the hat.

References: Please see specific links.
To read this in Farsi, click here.