# How big a factor is UV light for cataracts?  Should I wear sunglasses?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-a-factor-is-uv-light-for-cataracts-should-i-wear-sunglasses/805618>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [December 31, 2017, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-a-factor-is-uv-light-for-cataracts-should-i-wear-sunglasses/805618 "2017-12-31T05:33:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-a-factor-is-uv-light-for-cataracts-should-i-wear-sunglasses/805618/1 "2017-12-31T05:33:36Z")

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Is it proven that UV light causes cataracts?

Do sunglasses block UV light?

My optometrist says I’m developing cataracts. I hike in the high desert Southwest every morning for 2 hours without sunglasses. Is this causing the cataracts? Possibly contributing to cataracts? Not significantly contributing?

What about driving without sunglasses? Does the windshield and windows block UV light?

Thanks,  
J.

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**Author:** ![CelticKnot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/celticknot/32/3392_2.png) [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-a-factor-is-uv-light-for-cataracts-should-i-wear-sunglasses/805618/2 "2017-12-31T05:57:34Z")

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As far as I understand it, wear sunglasses. I don’t know if cataracts are caused by UV, but macular degeneration is, and it isn’t something that can be repaired with surgery.  
Only the cheapest sunglasses wouldn’t block UV. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was now a law that all sunglasses must block UV.  
I thought I was just being weird about looking forward to cataracts, but I felt vindicated when my new eye doctor examined me and said, “I’m sorry, you don’t have cataracts yet.” I am so incredibly myopic that I am looking forward to intra-ocular implants to replace contact lenses. The secretary at my school feels the same way: she wears the strongest possible contact lenses _and_ eyeglasses.

I do wonder about driving without sunglasses. I wouldn’t dream of it, even if the windshield blocked UV, because I never go out without sunglasses. I have blue-blocker night driving glasses, too. Oncoming headlights really bother me.