Skin Wreckers: Cheap Sunglasses

Are you starting to get brown spots on your upper cheekbones? Those dark splotches might be caused by your sunglasses.

Years ago when I was in college, I worked for an Ophthalmologist. Speaking to his patients, I noticed so many people had brown spots just under where their glasses sat.  Being curious, I asked the doctor about what caused these dark patches, and he said "cheap sunglasses."

That answer has been with me for more than 20 years (mostly as a good excuse for buying designer shades), but WHY was that his answer?

• Your sunglasses are rubbing off your sunscreen
• Not all sunglasses have a good UV filter, make sure they are labeled 100% UV Protection. Remember that Polarized glasses means that they reduce glare, not UV.  In fact, Polarized sunglasses are SPF15 vs. UV sunglasses are SPF45.
• Love that mirrored look? These type of sunglasses reflect the sun's rays back on your cheeks, and you get blasted twice by the damaging rays.

Check out The American Optometric Association website for more guidelines for qualities of good sun protective eyewear.