Althouse: "The gradual yellowing of the lens and the narrowing of the pupil that occur with age disturb the body’s circadian rhythm..."

February 23, 2012

"The gradual yellowing of the lens and the narrowing of the pupil that occur with age disturb the body’s circadian rhythm..."

With age, it becomes more important to open our eyes to bright sunlight.

Leave the sunglasses off, and you will sleep better, think better, and feel better.

15 comments:

chickelit said...: Leave the sunglasses off, and you will sleep better, think better, and feel better.

Plus it enhances crow's feet and we can end up looking as wizened as Clint Eastwood.

Wait. He disappeared his didn't he?; 2/23/12, 5:42 PM
paul a'barge said...: 66 and frankly I find I want my sunglasses more than ever. I'll trust my instincts every time; 2/23/12, 5:50 PM
Original Mike said...: I'm with Paul. Awful advice.

That yellowing of the lens? It's due to damage from a lifetime of light. The pupil narrowing probably is too. I'm 56, and should have a pupil dilation of only 4-5mm. In fact, I'm a youthful 7 mm, and I suspect it is due to a lifetime of sunglasses and avoidance of bright lights.

This post needs a "bad science" tag.; 2/23/12, 6:43 PM
Larry J said...: Go without sunglasses in Colorado and you'll likely end up with cataracts.; 2/23/12, 6:44 PM
Toad Trend said...: Sunlight never bothered me all that much. Dark brown eyes have something to do with it. It can be pretty bright and they still adjust well without sunglasses, even at almost 50 years. I believe exposing oneself to sunlight is beneficial, just be sensible about your skin and direct exposure.

I still prefer a ball cap to a full-blown Tilley shader.; 2/23/12, 6:55 PM
Tyrone Slothrop said...: Sunglasses make you look cool.; 2/23/12, 7:15 PM
mishu said...: I wear my sunglasses at night, so I can, so I can
Watch you weave then breathe your story lines
And I wear my sunglasses at night, so I can, so I can
Keep track of visions in my eyes; 2/23/12, 8:00 PM
MadisonMan said...: I just got sunglasses for the first time in my life, so I will be wearing them.

UV rays are bad for your lenses/cornea.; 2/23/12, 8:36 PM
Gene said...: The New York Times story links to an earlier NYT story that says that backlit LED monitors destroy your melatonin and keep you up at night). If that's true, I've wasted a fortune on sleeping pills.; 2/23/12, 8:41 PM
Fritz said...: Just had the left lens replaced with a nice clear plastic one.

I haven't noticed that it changed my sleeping, although sunrises and sunsets are better; 2/23/12, 9:38 PM
edutcher said...: Never one for shades.

The only time I've ever needed them was when I commuted in the summer. The late afternoon glare could give me a nice headache some days.; 2/23/12, 9:56 PM
madAsHell said...: I dunno.

My 86 year old mother spends a lot of time outside gardening without sunglasses. She keeps the curtains closed when she is indoors because it gives her a headache.; 2/23/12, 9:59 PM
Wince said...: Wrapped up like douche... left on the kitchen table.

Whew, what I thought was macula degeneration was in fact that dot on the Captcha word.; 2/23/12, 10:23 PM
Anonymous said...: good job i like it
Property dealer in Delhi; 2/24/12, 4:41 AM
Rick Caird said...: And, if you are nearsighted like me, you are more sensitive to sunlight, so going without sunglasses hurts my eyes.; 2/24/12, 6:08 AM