FASHION Sunglasses' benefits go beyond stylishness

By GARRET CONDON
HARTFORD COURANT
Ray-Ban is promoting three styles of sunglasses "that represent the spirit of each angel" in the upcoming sequel "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle." Of course, these designer shades will share the shelves with official and knockoff sunglasses from "The Matrix Reloaded" and will compete next month with Sama Eyewear's "Terminator 3" sunglasses.
The big screen explodes with a lot of violent, unhealthful behavior these days. But promoting the use of sunglasses is a good thing. It may be Hollywood's biggest contribution to the well-being of moviegoers.
Chic shades combine hipness and health like almost nothing else in the American wardrobe. The same people who should be slathering themselves with sunscreen before hitting the great outdoors should be sliding on some sunglasses -- and for the same reason. Overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet light can damage the eyes.
Too much sunshine, over the years, can accelerate the onset of cataracts and lead to macular degeneration, one of the most common causes of irreversible blindness in the United States. In some instances, it can even lead to eye cancer. One rare form of eye cancer, melanoma of the conjunctiva -- the membrane that covers the eyeball and underside of the eyelid -- has risen nearly 300 percent among white men in the last 25 years.
"You complete your sunblock by putting on your sunglasses," said Dr. Paul T. Finger, director of the Ocular Tumor Service at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. And because pigment protects the eyes as it does the skin, those with the lightest skin coloration are at highest risk for eye damage.
Finding protective sunglasses isn't hard. Jim Pritts, executive vice president of the Sunglass Association of America and director for North America of Intercast Europe, said most sunglasses sold in reputable stores provide UV protection at or near 100 percent.