Sunglasses, More Than a Fashion Statement, They Can Preserve Your Vision

By now, we all know the importance of slathering on sunscreen to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays. But what about our eyes? In honor of UV Safety Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of March, Eye M.D.s (ophthalmologists) across the country are urging Americans to S.E.E.! Stop Endangering Eyes. Protect your eyes and those of your children by wearing sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats. Recent studies have shown that prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays without protection may cause eye conditions that can lead to blindness, such as cataracts and macular degeneration, said Dr. Brian J. Carey, a Seattle Eye M.D. It’s great that people are becoming more aware of the importance of protecting their skin from damaging UV rays. Now Eye M.D.s just want you to remember your eyes, too.

A pair of sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat are usually all you need to protect your eyes. What should you look for when buying sunglasses? Dr. Carey offers these tips: The most important thing is to get sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays, which are the most damaging type. Of course, you want them to fit well, be comfortable and look good, too.

The color doesn’t matter when it comes to protecting your eyes, he adds. The ability to block UV light doesn’t depend on the darkness of the lens. UV protection comes from a chemical coating applied to the lens surface. As for the cost, anything goes. Many $10 glasses provide equal or greater protection than a $100 pair. You pay for style, frame quality and options like scratch-resistant coating, not for protective ability. In addition to the damage caused by repeated sun exposure over time, you need to protect your eyes from acute damage caused by a single day in the sun.

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet light reflected off sand, snow or pavement can burn the eye’s surface. Similar to a sunburn on your skin, eye surface burns are painful, but usually temporary. I’d also like to address a myth that was making the rounds a few months ago claiming that sunscreen can cause blindness in children when it gets in the eyes. That’s completely false, says Dr. Carey. It may sting for a while, but it shouldn’t cause permanent damage. Just rinse the eyes with clean water to wash it away, he recommends.

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About The Author:

Kim Park is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-sunglasses.com. Helping you find great deals on discount designer sunglasses.

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Sunglasses, More Than a Fashion Statement, They Can Preserve Your Vision