You are probably aware that extreme exposure to the sun can be harmful to your skin and can cause sunburn and skin cancer. But do you know that it can also be harmful to your eyes? Too much exposure to sunlight can cause several eye problems such as cataracts, photokeratitis, macular degeneration, pterygia, pinguecula, etc.
How to Adequately Protect Your Eyes from the Sun’s UV rays?
If you want to protect your eyes from the sun, then you should wear sunglasses. Look for sunglasses that can effectively block 100 percent UV rays. You can find this from different brands such as carrera sunglasses.
So, wherever you go outside during the day, don’t forget to wear your sunglasses. However, your eyes require protection even during those cloudy days. It’s because the sun’s harmful UV rays can still infiltrate the cloud cover.
Try to choose sunglass frames that have a close-fitting style to provide you with the best protection. For example, the amount of sunlight that goes through your eyes from all sides will be limited with a wraparound frame.
Sunglasses Are the Best Protection Against UV Rays
If you want to fully protect your eyes from those harmful sun rays, then you should look for high-quality sunglasses. Be sure to wear them whenever you are outdoors. Choose sunglasses that can block 100 percent UV rays. In choosing the best sunglasses for your needs, you can obtain some help from your optician.
Sunglasses with a close-fitting style or large lenses can also help in protecting the delicate skin surrounding your eyes. You could use other types of sunglasses, such as sports sunglasses or performance sunglasses, depending on your outdoor activities.
For additional protection during those sunny days, you can wear a wide-brimmed hat along with your carrera sunglasses. It can help in reducing your eyes’ exposure to the sun’s UV rays by at least 50 percent.
Misconceptions about Wearing Sunglasses
There are certain myths about protecting your eyes against the sun’s rays. Here are some of them.
Some people believe that the colour and darkness of the lenses can affect the amount of UV protection. However, they are not related. For instance, a dark grey lens and a light, amber-coloured lens can give you the same UV protection.
Not all sunglasses are capable of blocking 100 percent UV rays. If you are in doubt about its UV protection level, you can let an optician verify it. Most eye care professionals have devices that can measure the number of UV rays blocked by the lenses.
Wear eyeglasses even if you are under the shade. Most people think that it’s fine not to wear sunglasses when they are in the shade. It’s because the shade can help in reducing UV exposure to some degree. However, the UV rays reflected from the roads, buildings, and other surfaces can still get into your eyes.
Wear sunglasses even in winter. You might think that sunglasses are not important during the winter. However, keep in mind that snow can also reflect UV rays. So, when you are snowboarding or skiing, be sure to choose the appropriate lenses that can provide you with sufficient UV protection while you are on the slopes.
You still need to wear sunglasses even if your contact lenses can protect you from UV rays. It is because contacts can only protect the part of the eyes that are covered by the lens. It means that UV rays can still damage the other parts, such as the eyelids.
