In addition, to being a must-have fashion accessory, sunglasses are an important tool for keeping your eyes safe from harmful UV radiation. UV exposure can increase your risk for developing eye related diseases such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and even cancer of the eye and eyelid. And because ultraviolet rays can have a detrimental effect on your eyesight, it is imperative to wear good quality sunglasses to protect your eyes from harm.
Things to Consider
The damage caused by UV rays is cumulative and may not appear until later in life which is why it is so important to start protecting your eyes at an early age. Children are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of UV radiation. This is because their pupils are much larger than adults and therefore they take in more UV rays. Because of this, it is important for parents to always to make sure their children have sunglasses on when they are outside for long periods.
Sunglasses don’t just protect your eyes from UV radiation they also protect them from dust and other airborne particles that may harm your eyes.
Non-prescription sunglasses are just as protective as prescription sunglasses provided they have the same UV protection and lens size.
While you can find contact lenses that are designed to protect your eyes from UV rays they do not provide comprehensive eye protection because they leave your eyelids exposed. And because the eyelids are a frequent cancer location, it’s important for those whose wear contacts also wear non-prescription sunglasses.
You should always wear your sunglasses when you’re outside, but it’s especially important to wear them during peak sunlight hours roughly between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the UV rays are at their strongest.
You should wear sunglasses even when it’s cloudy outside to protect your eyes from UV rays.
Wearing a wide brim hat can also protect your eyes from UV radiation. Try pairing with sunglasses for maximum protection
Be sure to wear sunglasses all year round not just in the summer months.
An added benefit to wearing sunglasses is that they protects your eyes from developing wrinkles and other signs of aging.
What to Look for When Choosing Sunglasses:
- Look for sunglasses that block 99 to 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
- Those that do a lot of driving or boating should consider getting polarized sunglasses to reduce glare.
- Bigger sunglasses offer better protection.
- Costly sunglasses do not necessarily provide the best protection.
- Darker sunglasses do not necessarily protect better than tints. Always read the label and base your choice on the amount of UV protection they provide.
- When in doubt speak to an eye care professional before making a purchase.
Now that you know how sunglasses can save your eyesight be sure always to wear a pair to protect your eyes. If you have further questions about what sunglasses to choose, please feel free to contact us, we’d be happy to help. If you need to book an appointment with us just visit laserforeyes.com.