Sunglasses against dark spots? A Japanese forum on UV through the eyes
On Japan's Girls Channel forum, a shared interview claiming that UV entering the eyes signals the body to make dark spots, so sunglasses are a must, drew hundreds of comments (July 2024).
What came up:
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Some said a pharmacist or eye doctor had told them the same, but the bigger worry was different: hat, parasol, mask and now sunglasses make you look like a suspicious person.
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A claim that dark lenses dilate the pupils and let in more UV came up several times, so many said they'd pick light tints or UV-cut glasses instead.
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One person who used to wear sunglasses only for driving started wearing them daily and found their eyes felt less tired.
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Cultural notes: in Japan, sunglasses can come across as showing off. Practical gripes too: a low nose bridge makes them slide, and nose pads leave marks.
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Someone asked whether 15-year-old sunglasses still work, and others mentioned that some contact lenses have UV blocking.
Desk note: The American Academy of Ophthalmology says a lens's colour and darkness tell you nothing about how well it blocks UV. It recommends glasses that block 99–100% of UV, notes that a label saying "UV absorption up to 400nm" means the same as 100%, and says wraparound frames help stop light coming in around the sides. In short, check for the UV label before worrying about how dark the lens is.
Do you wear sunglasses day to day, or only when driving?
Original thread: Girls Channel (Japan) — UV through the eyes and sunglasses · Reference: AAO — Recommended Types of Sunglasses
After eye surgery such as LASIK or cataract surgery, clinics often give specific instructions on wearing sunglasses, so follow those first. If you wear prescription glasses, you can ask the optician whether UV-blocking lenses or coatings are an option. And if your eyes keep stinging or turning red, it's better to see an eye doctor than to just rely on sunglasses.