When shopping for sunglasses, look for tags that indicate the lenses block 99 to 100 percent of UV rays; special coatings and lens colors can also keep eyes comfortable.

RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—When choosing sunglasses, it’s tempting to put fashion first. But don’t forget their most important function: providing protection for your peepers. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage both the cornea and the retina of the eye, as well as contribute to the development of certain types of cataracts. While everyone’s eyes are at risk, some of us are even more so: If you spend a lot of time in the sun, have had cataract surgery or certain retina disorders, or if you take medications that can increase the eye’s sensitivity to light (such as tetracycline, birth control pills, sulfa drugs, diuretics, or tranquilizers), make sure to throw on some shades every time you’re outside.

How can you be sure your pair is affording you adequate protection? Just follow these sunglasses-shopping tips from Monica L. Monica, MD, PhD, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.