Blue Blocker Sunglasses

Q:  I have a question that I would like an ophthalmologist to answer about sunglasses. Is there any advantage to "BlueBlockers" as is advertised? I have purchased two pair from a home shopping network, but find that they so distort the color of the world around me that I even wonder about missing some important cues, such as traffic light signal colors. I am NOT color blind, nor do I have any eyesight impairments, except for needing magnification for reading, since I am now 53.

A:  I spoke with Kenneth B. Simons, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology at the Medical College of Wisconsin and although he is not acquainted with this particular brand, he told me of a study that shows that most sunglasses, even the cheap over-the-counter clip-ons, remove 98% of UV rays. Most sunglasses now have a UV 400 coating.

You pay for style, not for better protection. Even wearing a wide-brimmed hat protects your eyes against much of the harmful rays.

"Dear Doctor" is a compilation of patient questions answered by doctors from the Medical College of Wisconsin.