I did some additional research and stand corrected..........they do have retractable blinds and you are correct, from what I read, they are unreliable and ineffective.

It does appear that airline pilots also suffer from being exposed to the sun for extended periods of time and subjected to harmful UV rays as well.

Other than on takeoff and taxi, it appears that windows in the cockpit are not really necessary and are just harmful to the pilots health.

I didnt realize they had it so tough......you know, while siting back in economy with my knees near my chin, I really never gave much concern for their comfort......I have been all wrong everyone.......my apologies.......maybe having good eyesight is equally not important either.

Thanks for enlightening me........and just for the record, while I did snap the photograph in a place I shouldn't have it is not my normal behaviour.........I typically follow the rules.