Sunglasses are a great fashion addition to any clothing choice. Moreover, they really do have the power to transform any outfit and add a touch of elegance and drama. But sunglasses are more than just a fashion accessory; they are primarily made to protect the eyes from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. So even those who are choosing their sunglasses for fashion reasons should make sure that the pair they buy offer the ultimate in eye protection. But why is UV protection so important?
The Importance of UV Protection
Most of us know already that the sun can damage the skin and that both UVA and UVB rays can burn the skin and lead to premature aging as well as skin cancer. It is the reason that most of us will cover ourselves in a sunscreen with a high SPF (sun protection factor). But we cannot put sunscreen on our eyes, which is why we wear sunglasses.
Nevertheless, many people will only ever wear sunscreen when the sun is high in the sky and shining brightly. They assume that UV rays cannot affect them on overcast days, but the reality is that these rays are still dangerous, and particularly for the eyes. What some people also do not realize is that wearing sunglasses without adequate UV protection is akin to not wearing any at all. Dark lenses do not protect the eyes unless they have a special filter designed to block out UV light.
So even on overcast days, the sun is still shining and UV light can get through the clouds. This light can reflect off shiny surfaces such as water, roads, snow, sand, and even buildings and can harm your eyes if they are not protected.
How Can UV Light Damage the Eyes?
Short term damage to the eyes can cause them to feel gritty and sore as if there is something in the eye. Those who are particularly sensitive to light might find that their eyes water quite a bit, or they may even look puffy and red.
However, with continuous long-term exposure to UV light, the eyes can develop conditions such as macular degeneration or cataracts. Macular degeneration results from damage to the retina of the eye and can cause reduced vision. Cataracts is a condition that affects the lenses in the eyes and cause vision to become blurry and cloudy.
How Much Protection Should Your Sunglasses Have?
According to the good folk at Olympic Eyewear, a Utah-based distributor of bulk wholesale sunglasses, you should look for a pair of sunglasses that is marked as having full protection from both UVA and UVB rays. They say that many people choose their sunglasses based on how these look and feel, and this makes sense because comfort and style are important. Nonetheless, they say that choosing a pair of sunglasses based on how dark the lenses are is a mistake because this does not indicate how much protection they provide. A darker lens will not automatically have UV protection.
It is important therefore that you look for the mark that indicates whether a pair of sunglasses will protect your eyes from harmful UV light. They should have a label that says something like ‘100% UV protection’ or ‘UV400’.
Conclusion
Just as your skin needs to be protected from harmful UV rays so too do your eyes, and this is why many people wear sunglasses. However, it is not enough to pick any pair of sunglasses and hope for the best. They should be clearly marked as having a special filter that provides the ultimate in UV protection.