UV-blocking contact lenses can reduce or eliminate the effects of UV radiation and could offer better protection than sunglasses and hats, a new study reports.

The study exposed rabbits to the human equivalent of 16 hours of exposure to sunlight each day and found that those who wore UV-absorbing contact lenses were not affected by the light.

According to researchers, estimates suggest that there will be 167,000 to 830,000 more cataracts cases by 2050.

Heather Chandler, a vision researcher at Ohio State University’s College of Optometry, explained that wearing sunglasses or hats may fail to provide enough protection from the sun, and a more practical solution could be adding adequate UV protection to contact lenses. She added that as the study only focused on acute UV exposure, additional long-term studies investigating the efficiency of contact lenses over a longer period were needed.

Ms Chandler said: “This research will help patients and doctors consider appropriate UV-blocking contact lenses for those who need vision correction, to fill in some of the UV blocking gaps left by more traditional means. The data generated from this study could support the use of UV-absorbing contact lenses and greatly impact the health of a large number of people.”

The study was published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.

top | back