The Importance of Sunglasses and UV Protection
No matter how good we think we look tanned, sun exposure without precautions and protection can have truly dire consequences. Sun exposure is dangerous if you don’t protect yourself from harmful UV rays, and the best way to do so is to put on sunscreen before you leave your home and to cover up with clothes and hats. But what about your eyes? Fortunately for all of us, there is a great way to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays – with sunglasses.
Beware the sun
If your eyes are exposed to the sun for too long without adequate protection, serious problems can occur, including the formation of cataracts and cancerous growths on the eye as well as the eyelid. This happens if your eye is exposed to UV rays for a long time, and there could also be some yellow spots on the clear covering over the white portion of your eye. Remember, even your eyes can get sunburn which is why you should protect them whenever you leave your house. You should always wear a hat to shield your eyes from the sun as well as sunglasses that block out the UV rays.
Sunglasses block reflected light
You might think that wearing a hat or a cap will be enough to protect your eyes, but this isn’t the case. Even though your face and your eyes will be somewhat protected, reflected light will still be able to reach you and cause damage. It doesn’t matter if the reflected lights are coming off snow, wet concrete, or water, they will be able to cause harm to your eyes. Sunglasses offer protection and you should wear them whenever possible. Keep in mind that UV damage can accumulate over time, and children are in as much danger as adults, so finding a good pair of children’s sunglasses is very important.
Pick the right ones
You should choose your glasses wisely, and you shouldn’t focus only on the way their frames look. Make sure the label says that they block UV light and don’t presume that you are automatically protected just because the lenses are dark. You can even order a pair to be made for you by professionals and collect them from your optometrist at Broadway Shopping Centre. Dark lenses do not guarantee UV protection and you should talk to the salesperson to find out whether the glasses offer UV protection and what level of protection it is.
Types of sunglasses
With so many different styles and models to choose from, you’d think it would be easy to find the perfect pair, but if you’re looking for glasses that will be more than a fashion accessory, you need to be thorough. They should fit properly and cover your eyes, and if you can, find a wrap-around pair that will be able to protect your eyes on the sides too. The hue of the lenses is up to you, but make sure the glass has a UV filter. You can also think about getting prescription sunglasses so you don’t have to combine them with your contact lenses.
Sunglasses are convenient
Even though sunscreen and hats are very effective when it comes to sun protection, they aren’t always convenient. You have to apply sunscreen and wait for it to dry before leaving your house, and if you’re wearing makeup, it’s an even greater challenge. Hats are great but you can’t always wear one, especially in a car or when it’s windy outside. Sunglasses, on the other hand, are easy to keep in your bag or pocket, and you can wear them pretty much all the time.
Sunglasses might be a convenient fashion accessory, but they can also be effective protection against harmful UV rays for our eyes. Buying sunglasses just because they’re fashionable is understandable, but you should also make sure you buy top quality ones because otherwise, you risk damaging your eyes.
