Wearing sunglasses is more than simply a fashion statement. In fact, protecting your eyes from potentially harmful ultraviolet radiation (UV) is important to the long-term health of your eyes. The life-giving sun, despite its myriad benefits to the world’s ecology, can prove harmful to the human eye, especially during summer. The rays of the sun can prove particularly damaging to our eyes, and overexposure to UV rays can lead to eye problems, including cataracts and macular degeneration. This means it’s important not only to wear sunglasses, but to also make sure the pair you choose rejects 99% of the sun’s inundating rays.
Let’s go over three reasons it is important to wear sunglasses during summer.
Reason #1: Sunglasses Can Help Prevent Common Eye Problems
In our youth, we tend to think of ourselves – and our eyes – as indestructible. Years of exposure to the sun’s UV rays can prove otherwise, though. As we age, our eyes age too, and leading eye problems for older adults, like macular degeneration, can be traced to long-term sun exposure, in many cases. Macular degeneration involves damage to the center of the retina (the part of the eye that processes visual information into brain signals), which makes it hard to see objects straight ahead.
Another common eye problem is cataracts, particularly among older adults. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of eye, as proteins in the eye clump together, clouding the lens and making it harder for the affected person to see. Researchers are uncertain of the precise causes of cataracts, but, according to Allaboutvision.com, exposure to ultraviolet radiation is suspected as a leading cause.
Serious eye diseases and disorders can require laser surgery later in life. While that can offer comfort and peace of mind, throwing on a pair of sunglasses is the best way to avoid needing eye surgery later in life.
Reason #2: Sunglasses Can Help Avoid Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is a serious problem affecting approximately one million people in the US each year,according to WebMD.
While many of us are aware of the need to wear sunscreen when venturing outside, most people do not apply sunscreen to their eyelids, for obvious reasons. This means that sunglasses could be your only line of defense against skin cancer developing on and around your eyelids.
Reason #3: Nighttime Driving Safety
Prolonged exposure to the sun during the day can lead to problems adjusting to low light settings at night. Spending three or more hours in bright sunlight can affect your eyes’ ability to adjust to darker light settings which can prove dangerous when driving at night after a day in the sun.
The same rationale that makes this an important reason to wear sunglasses during the summer speaks to the overall comfort afforded by protecting your eyes in broad daylight. If the sunlight is simply bright enough to cause you to squint or shield your eyes, then you really should put on a pair of sunglasses.
Learn More About Protecting Your Eyes from the Summer Sun
We know that not everyone is an expert when it comes to eye care and protection from the sun during summer. If you are searching for answers, we suggest that you call our offices to make an appointment at 1-949-582-1090.