Cornwall Cricket Club Cricket Article

Sun Protection

Why do you see most international cricketers wearing sunglasses when they are playing? To protect the eye from UV damage, to make it more comfortable to see into the sun, to reduce glare, to increase the contrast of the ball so it is easier to see, and to protect the eye from being hit with a ball.

Ross Taylor had a serious operation on his left eye in 2016 to remove a pterygium, a raised growth from the conjunctiva; white of the eye, onto the cornea; the clear part over the iris. This is caused by prolonged UV exposure. The pterygium causes dryness, irritation, red eyes and sometimes blurry vision because the cornea’s shape has been distorted.  If UV blocking sunglasses were worn this probably wouldn’t have developed. 

Children especially should wear sunglasses as their eyes are more sensitive to UV as the lens in their eye is very clear and can let a lot of damaging UV into the retina, also it protects the sensitive structures of the cornea and conjunctiva.

Sunglasses don’t have to be expensive. Children’s sunglasses cost from $15 for a good pair that are UV blocking. If you want the best safety protection in a child’s sunglass go for impact resistant polycarbonate lenses rather than just plastic which could cost from $50.  Sports specific brands like Oakley, Adidas and Bolle have impact resistant polycarbonate lenses and some models are designed especially for cricket they’re usually more expensive from $200 up to $600.

So wear your sunglasses this season and protect your eyes – you only get one pair.

Author

Jeremy Wong, Optometrist, Sports Vision and Sports Specific Eyewear Specialist

Gates Eyewear, 17a Remuera Road, Newmarket. Tel: 095244962 E: jeremy@gateseyewear.co.nz

W: www.gateseyewear.co.nz

Article added: Tuesday 22 January 2019