IQ Lasik Blog.com

Dry Eye is an often dismissed condition, commonly mistaken for allergies or a just an everyday bother.  This disease can affect your vision and your ability to effectively perform important tasks such as driving or using the computer. Those who suffer from this condition may not even know they have it, though there is no cure for Dry Eye, there are ways to improve the condition and your eyesight.

What is Dry Eye?

Dry Eye and Chronic Dry Eye are conditions that are a result of poor tear quality. In people with normal tear production, the eye produces a combination of oil, water and mucus elements to saturate the eye naturally. Those who suffer from Dry Eye have trouble producing this mixture.

A few common symptoms of Dry Eye include:

• Eye dryness
• Blurry vision
• Eye pain
• A foreign sensation feeling in the eye
• Itching or scratchiness
• Light sensitivity
• Eye redness
• A stinging, burning sensation
• Eye irritation caused by wind, smoke, pollen or air-flown particles

This list should be used for reference not to diagnose Dry Eye, the only way to truly know and successfully treat the condition is to see your eye doctor.

Causes of Dry Eye

There are many factors that contribute to Dry Eye, some of them include hormonal balances such as pregnancy, menstruation, menopause or the natural aging process; over time, eye lose much of their lubricating properties. Other causes that contribute are thyroid problems, medical conditions and certain medications, both prescription and over-the-counter.

Patients with Dry Eye have reduced ability to create a naturally-occurring tear film that protects, moistens and cleans the eye; a three-step process that happens every time you blink your eyes.  Tear film is comprised of electrolytes, nutrients, lubricants as well as proteins forming a barrier integral in maintaining eye health. Left untreated, Dry Eye can instigate eye damage, as well as spark infection and disease that may affect your vision.

Dry Eye Solutions

Your doctor may suggest over-the-counter eye drops or artificial tears to help the condition, in some instances, prescription medication is needed for more severe cases. Consult with your doctor and give detailed descriptions on your symptoms so they can appropriately prescribe medication.  Vitamins, such as Fish Oil, are also known to help lubricate dry eyes.

If artificial tears or other medications do not seem to work, another option your doctor may suggest is tear duct plugs. These are inserted by your doctor and hinder the duct that stops tear film production.

If you feel you may have Dry Eye, the following questions may help determine it:

1. Do you frequently use eye drops or artificial tears throughout the day?
2. Have you been using drops for several months or longer and have you tried more than 1 or 2 types?
3. Do your dry eyes impede you from activities such as computer use, watching television, reading or operating machinery?
4. Are you unhappy with the results you receive from your current eye drops?

If you answered “yes” to any of these, you may have Dry Eye. Schedule an appointment today with IQ Laser Vision to check for Dry Eye or other symptoms. Dry Eye affects your day-to-day schedule, seeing an eye care professional can help with efficiency in work or school in addition to improving mood and sight.

By Jackqueline Christianson

See the picture above?  That is what you put into your eyes if you are a contact lens wearer.  The image depicts contacts that were left out for less than an hour.  While contact lenses are safely used by millions of people every day, they do carry a risk of eye infection.   Factors contributing to infection can include:

·         Wearing your contact lenses for extended periods;
·         Reduced tear production in your eyes;
·         Environmental factors;
·         Poor hygiene.

The best way to avoid eye infections is to properly care for your contacts following lens care guidelines and instructions provided by your eye care professional.  A  “rub and rinse” step in the lens cleaning process is a must – even for the new “no rub” solutions. 

Taking Care of Your Lenses

Risk of infection varies somewhat depending on the type of contact lens. Single-use daily disposable lenses are the safest type of soft contact lens, in terms of reducing the risk of infection. Rigid gas permeable lenses are a safer alternative than any type of soft contact lens. Your ophthalmologist can help you decide which type of lens is right for you.  Regardless of the type you decide on, proper care of the lenses is essential to eye health.

·         Before handling contact lenses, wash your hands with soap and water, then rinse and dry them with a lint-free towel.
·         Minimize contact with water, including removing lenses before going swimming or in a hot tub.
·         Contact lenses should not be rinsed with or stored in water (tap or sterile water).
·         Do not put your lenses in your mouth to wet them. Saliva is not a sterile solution.
·         Do not use saline solution and rewetting drops to disinfect lenses. Neither is an effective or approved disinfectant.
·         Wear and replace contact lenses according to the schedule prescribed by your eye care professional.
·         Follow the specific contact lens cleaning and storage guidelines from your eye care professional and the solution manufacturer.
·         During cleaning, rub your contact lenses with your fingers, then rinse the lenses with solution before soaking them. This “rub and rinse” method is considered by some experts to be a superior method of cleaning, even if the solution you are using is a “no-rub” variety.
·         Rinse the contact lens case with fresh solution — not water. Then leave the empty case open to air dry.
·         Keep the contact lens case clean and replace it regularly, at least every three months. Lens cases can be a source of contamination and infection. Do not use cracked or damaged lens cases.
·         Handle your contact lens solution with care:
·         Do not re-use old solution or “top off” the solution in your lens case.
·         Do not transfer contact lens solution into smaller travel-size containers. This can affect the sterility of the solution, which can lead to an eye infection.
·         Do not allow the tip of the solution bottle to come in contact with any surface, and keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
·         If you store your lenses in the case for an extended period of time, consult the instructions for the lenses or the contact lens solution to determine if re-disinfecting the lenses is appropriate before you wear them. In no case should you wear your lenses after storage for 30 or more days without re-disinfecting.
·         Some experts recommend that if you use contact lenses sporadically you consider using single-use daily disposable lenses.

Taking Care of Your Eyes

Eye infections can lead to serious vision loss in some cases. Proper care of your eyes is just as important as proper lens care.

·         Remove the contact lenses and consult an ophthalmologist immediately if you experience symptoms such as redness, pain, tearing, increased light sensitivity, blurry vision, discharge or swelling.
·         If you smoke, stop. Studies show that contact lens wearers who smoke have a higher rate of problems than nonsmokers.
·         Beware of using decorative lenses, such as those often sold at costume shops. These lenses have the potential to damage eyes permanently.
·         Get regular eye exams.
·         If you wear contact lenses, you should be examined by an eye care provider annually, and more often as needed.
As with any prescription, contact lens prescriptions do expire — typically within one year. You should see your eye care professional yearly to ensure they continue to have an accurate and appropriate prescription. These regular exams are also important opportunities for reinforcing proper lens care.

Alternatives

An increasing number of people have sought alternatives to wearing contacts.  Refractive surgery, popularly known as LASIK, has been the predominant elective procedure in correcting vision. In the last 20 years over 17 million people world-wide have had LASIK to decrease their dependency from glasses or contacts by treating their nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and even presbyopia.  Patients who have had LASIK will commonly share that their procedure was a life-changing experience for them and their only regret is not having it done sooner. With the incredible technological advances in LASIK vision correction, LASIK has been shown to be safer than wearing contacts for 10 years!

IQ Laser Vision offers a variety of payment plans designed to accommodate just about anyone’s budget.  In fact, LASIK may be less expensive than living with a lifetime of glasses, contacts, bifocals and readers.  IQ Laser Vision’s Medical Director, Dr. Robert T. Lin, is one of the nation’s most trusted, experienced, and caring surgeons.  Dr. Lin, the innovator of the MICRO-LASIK® procedure which specializes in individuals with thin-flap corneas, utilizes the most advanced technology in LASIK procedures, including WaveFront CustomCornea MICRO-LASIK® treatment.  Contact IQ Laser Vision today for more information: 1-888-539-2211.

Flexible Spending Account, also known as FSA allows an employee to set aside a portion of his or her earnings to pay for qualified expenses, most commonly for medical expenses.  Money deducted from an employee’s pay into an FSA is not subject to payroll taxes, resulting in a substantial payroll tax savings.  Flexible Spending Account funds must be used by the end of the plan year.   Many plans run January 1 – December 31, but check with your human resources department (or the health insurance firm directly) to verify the date that you use all your FSA funds.
Why should you worry about using the funds?

If you fail to use the money in your Flexible Spending Account by the end of the plan year you forfeit that money. Poof! It’s gone.

So what items fall into what category?

A handful of eligible expenses:

• Co-pays to doctors, dentists, etc.
• Allergy medicine
• Lasik and other refractive procedures
• Flu shots
• Guide dog (adoption, training, etc.)

A handful of ineligible expenses:

• Adoption fees
• COBRA premiums
• Diapers

FSA Eligible Expenses Change in 2011

If you have an FSA it is critically important that you know how much, on average, you spend on healthcare during a given year. If you only spend $500 per year then don’t set up the account to be funded with $2,000. You will be scrambling at the end of the year to find qualified expenses, or you’ll end up losing a huge chunk of cash.  If you plan to undergo a procedure such as Lasik next year, then you should consider setting up an account with more funds to save on taxes.

In the past if you looked at your FSA account balance on December 28th and noticed it still had money in it you would have time to run down to the drug store and stock up on over the counter cold medicine and pain relievers. Sure you might not use them for several months, but it was better to stock up than to forfeit that money.

Recent changes in healthcare law have changed that.  Starting January 1, 2011, you will not be able to use these spending accounts to pay for most over-the-counter drugs and medicines unless you have a doctor’s prescription. You will not need a prescription for insulin and diabetic supplies.

It is already mid-October, check your FSA account balance today and start planning to use those funds up before the end of the year gets here. It’ll be here before you know it!

Just as you’re encouraged to see a dentist for your teeth and a doctor for your physical health, you should also check in with your eye care specialist regularly for eye exams.

No matter your age, preventative checkups are needed for detecting diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. Eye exams are also a good identifier of overall health. Far often than not, people put off or neglect these vital exams not realizing early detection could mean saving your sight, seeing your doctor once a year to once every two years is recommended.

During your exam, your doctor will check for refractive errors, this happens when your eyes have trouble focusing light which in turns makes vision appear fuzzy or blurry. Your doctor may recommend glasses, contact lenses or surgery depending on their findings. The most common refractive errors are:

Myopia; or nearsightedness
Astigmatism; difficulty focusing due to the cornea
Hyperopia; or farsightedness
Presbyopia; focus problems due to age

In addition to refractive errors, your eye doctor will check for other typical eye diseases and symptoms that may need corrective lenses or red flags that could spell a loss of vision. Below are examples of what they are looking for:

Amblyopia; this occurs when one eye incorrectly translates an image, or one eye turns in or out, causing “lazy eye”.
Strabismus; this is a condition where the eyes do not correctly align, it is commonly referred to as “crossed eyes”. Left untreated, it may lead to amblyopia, which affects depth perception.
Cataracts; this disease affects all ages and is the common blame for blindness and vision loss globally. The lens develops a “cloudy” layer, and when very advanced, can lead to operations to extract the lens. Many can develop cataracts when born and more than 20 million Americans develop them in one eye or both.
Eye diseases; diabetic retinopathy is the most common disease leading to blindness in the United States, early detection can reduce vision loss, yet nearly 50% of patients dismiss exams or have them performed when the condition is already very advanced. Glaucoma is a combined set of diseases leading to vision loss. This happens when normal fluid pressure increases inside the eye. Many times, a patient slowly loses vision, going unnoticed till the disease is too far accelerated. Regular eye exams detect such diseases quickly.

Your doctor is able to test for other diseases such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease as well as diabetes, and while not a substitute for exams with your physician, eye exams can be a great early detector for ailments all over the body.

Free eye tests performed in eye care facilities “while you shop” and those provided by school nurses, volunteers and health care providers are helpful, but are also too brief to detect any serious issues. These types of exams do not replace regular full eye exams with your eye doctor. Family care physicians and pediatricians are limited in their eye care knowledge and are apt to miss eye treatment warning signs. Complete routine eye exams should be performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

Following your exam, your doctor will provide recommendations for upkeep and eye wellness; these may include glasses or contacts to treat refractive errors or possibly surgery for more severe issues. Even if all is well, it is still suggested to see your eye doctor regular to ensure continued good eye health.

Doctors may also suggest supplements or vitamins for your eyes to promote healthy eyes, improve vision or treat complications such as dry eyes. These combined with a healthful diet loaded with antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables also boost eye welfare.

Eye exams are imperative in every season of life and while the eyes may be the “windows to the soul”, they are also the windows to your health.

If you are interested in scheduling an eye exam, please call 1-888-539-2211. IQ Laser Vision offers five convenient Southern California locations.

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the pressure inside your eyes increases enough to damage the nerve fibers in your optic nerve and cause vision loss. The increase in pressure happens when the passages that normally allow fluid in your eyes to drain become clogged or blocked. Glaucoma often is called the “silent thief of sight,” because most types typically cause no pain and produce no symptoms until noticeable vision loss occurs.
 
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S. Glaucoma can be a devastating disease if not diagnosed and treated.  It most often occurs in people over age 40. People with a family history of glaucoma, African Americans, and those who are very nearsighted or diabetic are at a higher risk of developing the disease.
 
A less common form of glaucoma is acute angle-closure glaucoma, symptoms can occur suddenly and can include blurry vision, halos around lights, intense eye pain, nausea and vomiting. If you have these symptoms, make sure you see an eye doctor or visit the emergency room immediately so steps can be taken to prevent permanent vision loss.
 
Normal-tension glaucoma (also termed normal-pressure glaucoma, low-tension glaucoma or low-pressure glaucoma) is an open-angle type of glaucoma that can cause visual field loss due to optic nerve damage. But in normal-tension glaucoma, the eye’s IOP remains in the normal range. The cause of normal-tension glaucoma is not known. But many doctors believe it is related to poor blood flow to the optic nerve. Normal-tension glaucoma is more common in those who are Japanese, are female and/or have a history of vascular disease.
 
Everyone should be concerned about glaucoma and its effects. It is important for each of us, from infants to senior citizens, to have our eyes checked regularly. Early detection and treatment of glaucoma is the only way to prevent vision impairment and blindness.

There are a few conditions related to this disease which tend to put some people at greater risk. This may apply to you if:
·         You are over 45 and have not had your eyes examined regularly
·         Someone in your family has a history of glaucoma
·         You have abnormally high intraocular pressure
·         You are of African descent
·         You have diabetes
·         You are highly myopic (nearsighted)
·         You have regular, long-term steroid/cortisone use
·         You have a previous eye injury
 
Glaucoma cannot be prevented but if diagnosed and treated early, it can be controlled. Generally glaucoma can be treated successful if diagnosed. Treatment can involve glaucoma surgery, lasers or medication, depending on the severity. Eye drops with medication aimed at lowering IOP usually are tried first to control glaucoma.
 
Despite the fact that glaucoma patients are being treated for their eye condition, LASIK or other laser vision correction options may still be an option for patients who are near-sighted, far-sighted or have astigmatism.
 
Many patients with glaucoma may have been told that due to the elevated pressure within their eyes, they were not considered a good candidate for LASIK.  If the glaucoma is under good control, LASIK can still be an option to a patient’s vision problems. 
 
Candidates must be thoroughly screened, undergoing a complete eye examination, including a retinal exam. During the examination, the LASIK surgeon will make observations and measurements to determine if LASIK is a possibility.  The surgeon may consider between the PRK and LASIK procedures, both are similar forms of laser vision correction. PRK generally causes less of a pressure increase during the surgery so is sometimes the favored method of laser vision correction.
 
If you are turned down for LASIK surgery because you have glaucoma, it might be advisable to visit a glaucoma specialist or another LASIK surgeon who has had experience with performing LASIK on glaucoma patients.

The beach, the backyard pool and even the ski slopes are very inviting but eye damage can be just around the corner. The most immediate danger is photokeratitis, a painful type of corneal sunburn linked to the bright sunlight reflected off water, sand and snow. Reflected sunlight can double the exposure of harmful UV rays. Long-term exposure to UV light can lead to cataracts, skin cancer around the eyelids and even damage to the retina.

Ultraviolet damage is cumulative. Exposure to UV light, wind, and dryness can cause pingueculas. These are abnormal, but usually non-cancerous, growths on the white part of the eye near the nose. They can start in the teen years or early adulthood and can grow onto the front part of the cornea, possibly requiring surgical removal. Protection from UV exposure and wind starting early in life can help reduce the incidence of these growths. It is estimated that 80% of lifetime absorption to UV light occurs before the age of 18. Unfortunately, a recent survey found that a high percentage of parents are unaware of the potential for damage and rarely protect their children’s eyes.

Sunglasses with UV protection can help boost the eyes’ ability to filter out the damaging rays.  However, sunglasses that do not block UV rays should be avoided. Sunglasses shade the eyes from the bright sun and cause the pupils to dilate somewhat. If the UV rays are not blocked by the lenses, more UV enters the eyes that if no lenses are worn.

Guidelines for selecting sunglasses for your child:

• Sunglasses should block 99% to 100% of both types of ultraviolet rays: UV-A and UV-B. Be wary of labels that claim a product blocks harmful UV without specifying exactly what amount of UV rays they block.
• Select sunglasses that suit children’s active lifestyles. Lenses should be impact resistant and the frames should be bendable, unbreakable and/or have snap-on temples. Polycarbonate is the most impact resistant material available and the best choice for active children. Children’s sunglasses should never be made of glass.
• Check the lenses carefully for scratches, bubbles and distortions. Here’s an easy test for non-prescription lenses: hold the glasses away from your eyes and look through the lenses at a good horizontal or vertical line, such as a window frame. If the line appears wavy instead of straight, the glasses may actually make it more difficult to see (although some distortion may be seen with prescription lenses for corrective purposes).
• Have your child try on the sunglasses before making a purchase. The lenses should be large enough to shield the eyes from most angles (above, below and either side) and to block light that enters in around the frames. The sunglasses should also fit snugly against the bridge of the child’s nose in order to reduce the amount of sunlight that enters the eyes.
• Check the sunglasses periodically to make sure they fit well and are not damaged. Children often don’t complain about their vision even when there is a problem. A regular check of their glasses is a good idea.
• Fashion should be the last thing you think about when buying sunglasses. Look at the amount of UV protection, lens quality, and durability to assure that you buy
  the right sunglasses for your child.

If you have questions or concerns, always consult your eye doctor.

One out of every 5 Americans suffers from allergies. An allergic reaction happens when the body mounts an unusual immune response to something that’s normally harmless.

Common Allergy Symptoms and Signs

• Sneezing, often associated with nasal congestion
• Coughing and postnasal drip
• Conjunctivitis or “pink eye”
• Itchy nose, mouth or throat
• Allergic “shiners” (dark circles under the eyes)

Approximately 75% of allergy sufferers will have symptoms affecting the eye. The most common form of “treatment” is simply trying to avoid what’s causing the allergy. Keeping the home free of pet dander and dust and keeping pets off the furniture helps. Staying inside with the air conditioner on when a lot of pollen is in the air also helps. Air conditioners filter out allergens, though the filters must be kept clean. Wearing wraparound sunglasses can help shield your eyes from allergens.

Over-the-counter and prescription medications each have their advantages; for example, over-the-counter products are often less expensive, while prescription ones are often stronger. Allergy pills may be more convenient but for relief of eye-related symptoms, drops are usually more effective.

Common causes of excessively watery eyes can be allergies or dry eye syndrome — two very different problems. With allergies, your body’s release of histamine causes your eyes to water. It seems paradoxical but watery eyes can also result from dry-eye syndrome. The excessive dryness works to stimulate higher than normal production of the watery component of your eye’s tears. 

Decongestant eye drops “get the red out”. They contain vasoconstrictors, which make the blood vessels overlying the white part of your eyes smaller; this lessens the apparent redness of your eyes. With extended use however, small blood vessels on the surface of the eye can become dependent on the vasoconstrictors to stay small. When the drops are discontinued, the eyes become even redder…because the vessels rebound to a diameter larger than they were initially. This process is called rebound hyperemia.  

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) eye drops may be prescribed to decrease swelling, inflammation and other symptoms associated with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (hay fever).  Some eye drops have ingredients called mast-cell stabilizers, which also alleviate redness and swelling. Mast-cell stabilizers are similar to antihistamines. But while antihistamines are known for their immediate relief, mast cell stabilizers are known for their long-lasting relief.

Eye Allergies and Contact Lenses

Even if you are generally a successful contact lens wearer, allergy season can make your contacts uncomfortable. Airborne allergens can deposit on your lenses, causing direct discomfort. Allergens can also stimulate excessive production of natural substances in your tears, which then bind to your contacts and further reduce lens comfort.  Common solutions can be to switch to daily disposable lenses, only wearing glasses or Lasik.  

Over the last two decades, over 17 million people world-wide have had LASIK to decrease their dependency from glasses or contacts by treating their nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and even presbyopia.  Patients who have undergone laser eye surgery will commonly share that their LASIK procedure was a life-changing experience for them. With the incredible technological advances in LASIK vision correction, LASIK is safer than wearing contact lenses for 10 years.

You can often see floaters or spots when looking at a plain background, like a blank wall or blue sky. Floaters are small clumps of condensed protein or cells that form in the vitreous, the clear fluid that fills the interior cavity of the eye.   Floaters may appear as specks, strands, webs or other shapes moving into your field of vision. You don’t see the floater itself but its shadow cast onto the retina, the light sensitive film at the back of the eye.  Since the floater is within your eye, and moves with it, any effort to look directly at the floater causes it to constantly “run away” as your eye turns.
 
Light Flashes
 
Flashes of light lasting a few seconds may appear in your vision when the vitreous gel pulls or tugs on the retina. This may happen as a natural result of aging or it may occur temporarily if you receive a blow to the head or eye. Usually these flashes, which are often described as lightning streaks, are noticed at night.
 
The onset of new light flashes of short duration at night, especially when accompanied by the appearance of many new floaters or a blackening out of part of your field of vision, may indicate a retinal tear or detachment. If you experience light flashes in combination with these symptoms, you should contact your eye doctor immediately.
 
What Causes Eye Floaters and Spots?
 
In most cases, floaters are part of the natural aging process. As we grow older, the vitreous shrinks causing the development of cloudy clumps of vitreous which are seen as floaters. The shrinking vitreous gel in the eye sometimes pulls free of its attachment to the back of the eye at the optic nerve. When this happens, a large floater is usually seen which can resemble a cobweb. This is frequently associated with the sensation of flashing lights as a result of the vitreous pulling on the retina.
 
Treatment for Spots and Floaters
 
Most spots and eye floaters are annoying but harmless and the vast majority of people with floaters do not develop retinal detachment. Whether you see clusters, specks, black dots or cobwebs, most floaters go away over time. Either the gel completely dissolves, or the chunks settle down to the bottom of the eye or (most likely) your brain learns to simply ignore them. There is no drug therapy available to eliminate floaters. People are sometimes interested in surgery to remove floaters but many doctors are unwilling to perform such surgery except in severe cases.  If you suddenly see new floaters or floaters accompanied by flashes of light or peripheral vision loss, it could indicate serious conditions such as diabetic retinopathy; vascular abnormalities such as retinal hemorrhages or carotid artery disease, in addition to the beginning of a retinal detachment.  Whenever you experience an increase in the number of floaters, with or without light flashes, you should call your eye doctor immediately.

It is important to protect your eyes against damage from the sun.  Much like protecting your skin from harmful UV rays of the sun with sunscreen, sunglasses are a must when on the beach or ski slopes and when driving to prevent glare.  In general, everyone should get in the habit of wearing sunglasses anytime their eyes are exposed to sunlight.  Everyone is at risk for eye damage from the sun year-round.  The risk is greatest from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Excessive sun exposure can cause loss of vision, cataracts, and even cancer of the eye.

UV rays are a part of sunlight that is an invisible form of radiation which can penetrate and change the structure of skin and eye cells, they are commonly divided into UVB and UVA rays, your sunglasses should block both forms.  UVB rays have shorter wavelengths and are the principle cause of sunburn, skin cancer, and premature aging of the skin.  UVA rays have longer wavelengths and penetrate more deeply, contributing to skin cancer and aging.   People who wear contact lenses that offer UV protection should still wear sunglasses.
 
There are many options to choose from when selecting sunglasses.  Primary concerns are usually fashion related but keep in mind that the main purpose of sunglasses are to protect your eyes.  Children should also wear sunglasses and not the toy versions, but real sunglasses that indicate the UV-protection level just as with adults.  Polycarbonate lenses are generally recommended for children because they are the most shatter-resistant.  Polarized sunglasses can be used for driving and, in fact, can reduce glare from a long, flat surface such as the hood of the car or the road’s surface.  Lightly tinted lenses block roughly 70 percent of UVB and 20 percent of UVA.  Medium-tinted lenses block about 95 percent of UVB and 60 percent of UVA.  Dark-tinted lenses block an average of 99 percent of UVB and 60 percent of UVA.  Sunglasses that wrap around or have side pieces sides offer protection from rays creeping in around the edges.  You could also ask an eye-care professional to test your sunglasses if you’re not sure of their level of UV protection. Any protection is better than no protection