Science / Medicine : Shades for the Shadeless

People who wear hats and sunglasses to protect their eyes from strong sunshine could substantially reduce the risk of cataracts, according to a study of fishermen.

The research found that frequent exposure to intense sun tripled the risk of a common form of cataracts. “If there is enough sunshine for you to get sunburned, then you should be protecting your eyes,” said Hugh R. Taylor of Johns Hopkins University.

He noted that people have gotten used to smearing sunblock on their faces to prevent skin cancer. But they leave their eyes exposed to damaging ultraviolet light, the invisible portion of the sunbeam that burns the skin and slowly clouds the lens of the eyes.

Wearing a hat with a brim “will cut UV exposure to the eye by 50%. And if you get sunglasses, you can eliminate all ocular UV exposure or cut it down by 80% to 90%,” he said.