Why You Need Sunglasses

Sunglasses don't just look stylish - they protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays that can cause serious damage. UV rays come from the sun, and are invisible to the human eye. You can develop cataracts, suffer from macular degeneration, and be susceptible to cancerous growths on your eyes if you don't wear UV-blocking eye protection.

The Danger Of UV Rays

Most people wear sunglasses in the height of the summer, but did you know that you should wear UV protection any time you go outside? Even though it may not be a bright, sunny day, UV rays are still reaching your eyes. If you are a fan of skiing or snowboarding, it's essential that you wear sunglasses, especially when the sun is shining. The higher altitudes and the sun's reflection off of the snow make UV rays even more dangerous to your eyes.

Of course, during the summer, UV rays are three times higher than they are in the winter, so make sure you wear sunglasses when you go to the beach or are enjoying the afternoon on your patio. If you're out on the water - swimming or boating, you need to take extra precautions because the sunlight is reflected by the water.

Photosensitivity

You should also wear sunglasses if you have increased photo sensitivity. Some medications, such as tetracycline, cause you to become increasingly sensitive to the sun's rays. Or, if you wear contact lenses you might find that you can't tolerate sunshine as well, and will need to find a good pair of sunglasses that will block out UV rays.

Fashionable UV Protection

Today, there are a lot of fashionable options for UV protection. Look for sunglasses that block at 99% of UV rays, and don't purchase glasses that don't offer this feature. Some will even have 100% UV protection, or absorption up to 400 nm. While most companies now manufacture only UV blocking sunglasses, there are still some that don't, and these sunglasses will not protect your eyes - and can lead to irreversible damage. It doesn't matter if the lenses are tinted or polarized - this has nothing to do with UV protection. While tinted and polarized lenses will be more comfortable in the direct sunlight, they won't block out UV rays, which will then be able to penetrate your eyes.

Wraparound sunglasses may give you more protection than ordinary sunglasses. Some studies have shown that this type of sunglasses can block out harmful UV rays that enter from the sides.

Before you go to the beach or even head outside on a cloudy day, reach for sunglasses that give you 99-100% UV protection, and your eyes will be a lot healthier!