Sunglasses are an essential part of summer! You’ve probably been wearing them since you were a kid when mom or dad would remind you to put them on before going outside to play. Then, as a teenager they became a cool accessory. And as an adult, you may wonder: What are the benefits of wearing sunglasses?
There are many benefits to wearing your sunglasses 365 days a year, rain or shine. The sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays are present in our atmosphere every day, so protecting your eyes from those rays every day is a priority.
Here are 6 reasons to wear your sunglasses more often:
Though you’ll wear different clothes whether you’re sitting on the beach, lounging by a pool, out for a run, biking, waterskiing, or snow skiing―the one item you should wear in every one of those scenarios is your sunglasses!
A pair of high-quality sunglasses that blocks 100% of the sun’s harmful UV rays is the one item that makes the difference between enjoying a pleasant outdoor activity and damaging your eyes.
And it’s not just the sun’s intense rays that sunglasses protect your eyes from. As a physical barrier, sunglasses protect from wind, blowing dust, sand, and other airborne debris that could irritate your eyes and even scratch the cornea, which could cause permanent damage.
The sun’s rays give life to our planet, but they can be blinding to your eyes. If your eyes are sensitive to light, you may need to squint or hold your hand up to block sunlight. That’s not “seeing your best” and could be a safety hazard while driving, riding a bike, or participating in any activity where you’re moving fast and making quick decisions. Wear sunglasses to help you see your best and navigate more safely. You could prevent a severe injury to yourself or others. (And you’ll even look cool while doing so.)
While we can’t see into the future, we do have a lot of evidence that supports this statement: Daily exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays over the course of years will significantly increase your risk for developing cataracts, macular degeneration, or other eye conditions that can steal your vision.
Cataracts are a yellowish clouding of the eye’s natural lens that can cause light sensitivity and blurred vision. Macular degeneration is a deterioration of the macula—the central part of the retina responsible for your detailed, up-close vision, such as seeing people’s faces, reading or watching tv. The sun’s rays can also cause eye cancer and a condition called pterygium, a growth of excess tissue on the eyeball. Once again, there’s one common way to lower your risk: Wear sunglasses every day, every time you’re outside to help your eyes stay healthier, longer.
Sure they keep your eyes safe and prevent disease, but sunglasses have an immediate benefit the moment you put them on: instant relief from the sun’s brightness and glare. It’s uncomfortable to be outside in bright, blaring sun without shielding your eyes from that intense light!
Whether you’re watching your child’s sporting event, skiing down a snowy mountain, or enjoying a walk through the park, sunglasses enable you to see more and better. Polarized lenses improve vision dramatically by cutting down on the sun’s glare that bounces off horizontal surfaces such as the ocean, sand, sidewalks or snow. Without glare, you can better see color and contrast. That improves vision and raises your level of enjoyment. Sunglasses enable you both to enjoy being outside more and to perform better if you’re playing a sport.
Corrective eye surgery is a common occurrence, whether it’s a corrective procedure for cataracts or LASIK surgery to improve vision. These procedures require proper time for the eyes to heal. As eyes recover, it’s essential to keep them out of the sun’s harmful rays so they can heal completely. Sunglasses are the ideal way to keep your precious eyesight safe and give your body the time it needs to heal.
As anyone who suffers from migraines or intense headaches knows, the sun’s bright light can be a trigger that causes these painful events. And—you guessed it—the best way to prevent that from happening is to wear a high-quality pair of sunglasses that blocks out the sun’s light and protects your eyes. If bright light is a trigger for you, you may be able to avoid the pain and discomfort of a migraine by wearing sunglasses more often.
When purchasing sunglasses, opt for dark lenses if you’re prone to such headaches. And, be sure they are high-quality lenses like the ones we sell in our optical department. That way, you can be assured that your eyes are protected from UV rays.
If you need a new pair of sunglasses that block 100% of the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays, our optical department will help you choose a pair that looks great on you and offers all of the protective elements you need to keep seeing your best for years to come!
Sunglasses are a great way to protect your eyes from the sun, helping prevent the development of several eye conditions. It makes sense to wear your sunglasses when out in the sun, but should you wear them more consistently?
Continue reading to learn more about sunglasses, including 5 reasons you should wear them more often.
While sunglasses have many benefits, they can feel like a pain to carry everywhere. Many people may think sunglasses are only necessary for the summer and spring, but they have year-round benefits. Besides protecting you from the sun, sunglasses can prevent irritation and potential damage from the elements, avoid headaches, and help you enjoy the outdoors more.
Here are 5 reasons you should wear your sunglasses more.
UV-blocking sunglasses can help protect you from several health conditions, such as cataracts, skin cancer, and age-related macular degeneration.
Eyelid skin cancer
Eyelid cancer is a general term to describe several types of cancer that occur on or within the eyelid. Cancer typically appears in the form of a tumour on the eyelid’s outer surface, developing from fat and sweat glands. Types of eyelid skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
You increase your risk of developing eyelid cancer each time you expose yourself to the sun without effective eye protection.
Snow Blindness
Snow blindness, or photokeratitis, can occur when UV rays reflect off of snow, ice, water or emit from light sources like tanning bed lamps. You put yourself at risk of this condition when you don’t wear suitable sunglasses. In Canada, you shouldn’t only take precautions when out doing winter activities—anyone living in a snowy climate should wear UV protection.
Photokeratitis can lead to several uncomfortable symptoms, including:
Cataracts
A cataract is the clouding of your eye’s lens, typically occurring due to age. While cataracts may not affect your vision at first, they can cause you to struggle with reading, driving, and other everyday tasks. This condition happens to almost everyone with time, but exposure to UV light can accelerate cataract development.
When cataracts begin to affect your eyesight, surgery is often the only option to restore your vision. While cataracts aren’t preventable, you can slow their growth by protecting your eyes from UV exposure.
Age-related macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that causes the progressive decay of the macula, the part of the eye responsible for your central vision.
The macula begins to thin with time, causing you to lose your central vision. However, your peripheral (side) vision remains unaffected. There are 2 forms of this condition: wet and dry AMD.
The risk of developing AMD commonly increases with age. However, someone who experiences extensive UV exposure has a higher risk. Protecting your eyes with UV-blocking sunglasses can lower your risk of developing this condition.
Pterygium
Pterygium, or surfer’s eye, is tissue growth on the conjunctiva, the clear tissue lining your eyelids. While this condition isn’t typically serious, it can irritate and lower your quality of life. Pterygium typically develops due to extensive exposure to UV light.
While the sun can cause significant damage to your eyes, it isn’t the only thing to worry about. Snow, sand, wind, and dust can irritate and damage your eyes. A common concern when spending time in the snow without sun protection is snow blindness.
Sand can enter your eyes on a windy day, irritating or damaging your cornea. Wind and dust can irritate or dry your eyes. The best way to protect your eyes from the elements is to wear wraparound sunglasses frequently.
If you enjoy spending time outdoors, a quality pair of sunglasses is something you should invest in. You can not only protect your eyes from the sun but also enjoy your surroundings more. Different kinds of sunglasses can help reduce glare or provide more contrast, helping you see more clearly.
You may not be aware, but bright sunlight can trigger migraines and headaches. This reaction occurs due to light sensitivity, which causes pain or irritation.
Wearing sunglasses can help prevent these headaches from occurring as frequently. Speaking with your optometrist can help identify the best types of sunglasses for your needs.
When rain or snow hits the highway, light can reflect off of these surfaces and send light rays into your eyes. When light reflects directly into your eyes, it’s known as glare, which can cause eye strain and make it harder to see when driving.
A pair of polarized sunglasses can help reduce glare when driving, making it easier to see what’s in front of you.
There are many reasons to wear your sunglasses more often. Besides the aesthetic features sunglasses offer, you can protect your eyes from the sun and the elements, prevent headaches and migraines and improve your safety when driving.
If you’re interested in quality sunglasses, what should you look for?
When choosing a pair of sunglasses, consider looking for one that provides the following:
Finding the perfect pair of sunglasses can seem complicated with so many options. However, your optometry team has the expertise to help find sunglasses that meet your vision needs.
Contact your optometrist if you’re looking for quality sunglasses.