Sunglasses are meant to be more than trendy accessories - they protect your eyes from the sun’s harsh glare and UV rays. Studies show that unprotected exposure to UV radiation can cause permanent eye damage including cataracts (clouding of the lens), macular degeneration (breakdown of the tissue inside your eye), pterygium (growths in the corner of your eyes) and even various eye cancers.
If you don’t already wear sunglasses, learn a new habit! If you do, it’s vital that they give you proper protection. The majority of sunglasses today are manufactured with reputable UV protection/blockage, so look for the protection statement on the label when you buy.
Sunglasses should be worn year-round, like wearing sunscreen. Just as you wouldn’t going skiing or snowboarding without appropriate eye wear, so too you need to wear sunglasses in the winter when the air is often very clear and the sun has a real sting.
And don’t forget the kids.
Children are very susceptible to eye damage from the sun, so buy youngsters a good pair of sunglasses and teach them to wear them outdoors. One final thought: sunglasses help you avoid wrinkles: squinting gives them to you big-time!
