While many of us associate sunglasses with the summer heat, the truth is that they can provide meaningful protection to our eyes all throughout the year, rain or shine. If you aren’t in the habit of wearing your sunglasses regularly, it might be time to rethink your habits.
Why Should You Wear Sunglasses?
First and foremost, sunglasses provide UV protection. The best sunglasses have a UV rating of 400, which means they block 99.9% of UVA and UVB light — but let’s take a step back and discuss why this is so important.
Prolonged exposure to UV rays will modify the proteins in your lens, which will reduce the quality of your eyesight over time and can even lead to the formation of cataracts. UV exposure also increases your risk of cancer in your eyelids and skin. Needless to say, UV rays are no good for your eyes.
Sunglasses provide powerful UV protection and they act as a physical barrier, keeping wind and blowing debris like dust and dirt out of your eyes. Not only can these debris be drying and irritating, but they can also contribute to the risk of eye infections, especially if they cause you to rub your eyes. This risk is worse if your hands have spent a long day out adventuring as your hands will be carrying many threats.
When Should You Wear Sunglasses?
Now that you know why UV rays are so harmful to your eyes, you’ll probably remember to put them on next time you’re out on a sunny day. However, sunglasses should really be worn regardless of the weather.
- Grass, soil, and water reflect about 10% of UV radiation, which means even activities where you aren’t looking up — like swimming or gardening — can still harm your eyes.
- Snow is highly reflective of UV rays. In fact, fresh snow reflects more UV rays than water. So, always make sure you wear sunglasses when out in the snow. If you’re skiing or snowboarding, use goggles that have UV protection built-in.
- Beaches are especially risky. In addition to the open water, sand reflects about 15% and sea foam reflects an astounding 25% of UV rays, so always remember to bring an extra pair alongside your sunscreen and towel.
- About 80% of UV rays penetrate through clouds. This means even on overcast days where it may not look or feel sunny, your eyes are still being exposed to damaging UV radiation.
All things considered, sunglasses are always a reasonable choice. If you do want to wear yours on duller days, like when it’s cloudy out, consider purchasing sunglasses with less of a visible tint, making sure that they still offer 99.9% protection against the invisible UVB and UVA rays produced by the sun.
Are Your Eyes Paying The Price of Sun Damage?
As we age, the reality of sun damage becomes more noticeable. While it can take years of UV exposure to inflict visible changes in your eye sight, that’s all the more reason to make wearing your sunglasses a habit every time you go outside.
If you’re feeling the effects of sun damage or less-than-perfect eyesight, make an appointment with your eye doctor. Not only can they help you assess your vision and manage sight problems, but they can diagnose cataracts and help you prevent long-term vision loss. Make an appointment today to learn more about what you can do to protect your eyes.
