Your shades are more than stylishly cool; sunglasses protect your eyes from the harmful side effects of harsh sun rays.
We all know how important it is to protect our skin from too much ultraviolet(UV) rays, but we forget that our eyes are just as susceptible to damage if not properly protected as well. Below we’ve written about a few reasons why a stylish pair of protective shades provides more than a cool summer look.
See the World Comfortably
As a complement to a great outfit, the perfect pair of sunglasses can also prevent powerful sun rays from harming our eyes’ ability to adjust to varying light levels and keep you from all of the uncomfortable squinting caused by extra time in bright sunlight.
Protection Against Harmful UV Rays
Extended exposure to UV-A and UV-B rays can be a contributor to cataracts development, (a clouding of the eye’s lens that can uncomfortably blur vision), and research suggests that extended exposure to UV rays causes an estimation as high as 20 percent of cataracts cases. Rocking a cool pair of protective shades can aid in reducing the risk of cataracts, and help prevent against photokeratitis (sunburn of the eyes), as well.
HEV Radiation Absorption
UV rays aren’t the only radiation culprit that can hurt your eyes. (HEV) Radiation (also known as high-energy visible radiation) can add to your risk of macular degeneration over time, damaging the retina and causing a loss of central vision. A great pair of sunglasses can absorb these rays and help reduce your risk of retinal damage and keep your maculae in tip-top shape.
What to Look For to Select the Right Pair of Shades
As you can see, the sun’s powerful rays could potentially damage your eyes if you aren’t taking the correct preventative measures. Now let’s talk about selecting the right pair of protective sunglasses. There are a million brands and style variations of sunglasses out there to choose from, but not all shades are made with protection in mind. To adequately shield your eyes from the sun, you should look for sunglasses that block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B rays, and absorb most HEV rays. Additionally, frames with a close-fitting wraparound style and lenses with a uniform tint throughout can also keep harmful side effects of extended sun exposure at bay. Our professionals can help you pick the perfect pair of sunglasses to compliment your style and your eye health.