All sunglasses are not created equal

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Most people know how much damage the sun can do to our skin, but we often overlook another big risk of UV exposure - can you guess what it is? Here's a hint: a new report from the Vision Council exposes the hidden dangers of UV rays and ways to keep our eyes safe.

Hanging on the beach and working on the water are big parts of the Hampton Roads lifestyle, but be careful. Unprotected exposure to UV rays can leave your eyes bloodshot, swollen, and sensitive to light within hours. And in the long run can sometimes lead to a growth on the eye called a pterigium.

Doctor Stephen Scoper told WAVY.com he sees a lot on boaters and people who spend a lot of time on the beach. He warns: unprotected eyes may also suffer from cancer, macular degeneration and cataracts.

He says it's worthwhile for all of us to wear sunglasses, but not all shades are created equal. Don't be fooled by color. A darker lens isn't necessarily better. Doctor Scoper says a polarized yellow tint may actually help you see more clearly.

Hampton Roads gets more than 83 days every year of very high or extreme levels of solar radiation according to the National Weather Service, so the potential for damage is not just in the summer.

Doctors say people of all ages should wear sunglasses all year round.