# Sunglasses, UV, and pupils

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunglasses-uv-and-pupils/451919>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [June 5, 2008, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunglasses-uv-and-pupils/451919 "2008-06-05T19:21:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2008, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunglasses-uv-and-pupils/451919/1 "2008-06-05T19:21:41Z")

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In [this column](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_102.html), cecil said

> [@The Master](#):
>
> A cheesy pair [of sunglasses] that blocks only visible light could make things worse. The reduced visible light will cause your pupils to dilate, allowing the UV to pour in.

But the lens is in \*front \* of the pupil. This advice is still good, but not for the reason he gave, right? Is there any study of UV damage to the _retina_?

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**Author:** ![chorpler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chorpler/32/2888_2.png) [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunglasses-uv-and-pupils/451919/2 "2008-06-05T19:36:46Z")

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[QUOTE=CookingWithGas]  
In [this column](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_102.html), cecil saidBut the lens is in \*front \* of the pupil. This advice is still good, but not for the reason he gave, right? Is there any study of UV damage to the _retina_?  
[/QUOTE]

The cornea is in front of the iris and pupil, but the lens of the eye sits right behind them. [Here](http://www.allaboutvision.com/resources/anatomy.htm) is a good diagram showing the anatomy of the eye.

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**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2008, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunglasses-uv-and-pupils/451919/3 "2008-06-07T01:50:16Z")

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Well, dang. My ignorance has been fought.

So is that where cataracts appear, and how do they do cataract surgery?

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**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2008, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sunglasses-uv-and-pupils/451919/4 "2008-06-07T05:53:52Z")

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[QUOTE=CookingWithGas]  
Well, dang. My ignorance has been fought.

So is that where cataracts appear, and how do they do cataract surgery?  
[/QUOTE]

Yes, cataracts cloud the lens, and yes, they cut into the anterior chamber and remove the lens, replacing it with an implant.