Protecting your eyes on the water
My Story
Darren Andrew

It all started when I kept catching glimpses of something on the edge of my vision. At first I dismissed it as being tired but as it continued I really started to think I was losing it.
From the edge of my  vision I kept seeing a vague outline of someone or something. Whenever I turned to see it would be gone.
It was at this point I decided to see my doctor and hopefully not the men in white coats!
As it turns out the "apparitions" I was seeing were the result of build up scar tissue on my corneas called Pertygium. This disorder is common to sailors and fisherman is a result extensive exposure to UV light.

Photo courtesy of eyedoctorsphiladelphia

Without proper eye protection UV rays can actually burn the surface cornea of your eyes causing scar tissue to build up on them and eventually distorting the image your eyes receive.

Protective Gear
Sailors and fisherman as well as Eskimos are the most susceptible groups to this affliction.
The good part of this problem is that with proper eye protection you can almost eliminate any damage to your eyes.

First of all start off with a wide brimmed hat. This will block the suns UV from pounding down on your face all day as well as the added benefit of helping you see structure and fish in the water. Pick a light coloured broad brimmed hat with good ventilation. The white colour will also not attract the nasty deer flies that home in on moving dark objects.

The second and most important part of the equation is picking proper fitting quality polarized sunglasses that filter UVA and UVB rays.

Most quality glasses offer all three features in a range of styles including clip ons.
I used to use the cheaper 20 to 30 dollar shades, but after being diagnosed I quickly decided to buy a quality pair to limit the damage being inflicted on my eyes.

One advantage of spending more money on a set of quality glasses is the you will take better care of them and have them last longer. You get what you pay for in lenses. The more expensive pairs have less optical faults and distortion allowing the angler unprecedented performance for sight fishing.

Most top quality fishing glasses come in a variety of colours to maximize contrast for different light and water conditions.

Polarized Dark Gray: Maximum light filtering with natural color representation. Excellent in extreme bright conditions and deep water off shore fishing.

Polarized Amber: Greatly increases contrast and color separation without harsh distortion of colors the perfect lens in overcast, bright fog or snowy conditions and especially good in any shallow water sight fishing situations.

H30 Optic Polarized Twilight Yellow: High contrast polarization. Excellent low light lens.

Non-Polarized Bright Yellow: Gives high contrast and brightening effect in low light such as heavy overcast and rainy days, and twilight.  There are many excellent makes of fishing glasses out there; here are a few to choose from:

H3O Optics
Solar Bat
Maju Jim
Costa Del Mar
Oakley, just to name a few quality makes.

Remember, when you are on the water you receive twice the exposure to UV light as you do on land. You get the direct radiation from the sun and the reflection off of the water.
A bonus of the hat and glasses combo is a better view of submerged structure and fish thus resulting in a more successful outing!

The extra bonus is being well defended from that come back lure after you miss that monster hook set on a big toad!  So spend a little more and think about your eyes while on the water and you will have a more successful and healthy experience!  Take control of your eye health now and enjoy a healthy productive season on the water.

See you out there!!!
Darren Andrew