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UV Protection Sunglasses: Why It’s Important to Protect Your Eyes

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A man outside hiking a mountain while wearing UV protection sunglasses to protect his eyes

Do you know the importance of protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays?

Overexposure to UV rays can cause various eye problems, such as cataracts, eye cancer, pterygium, and snow blindness. The good news is that wearing sunglasses with UV protection can help protect your eyes from these issues. 

Not all sunglasses offer the same level of protection. An optical team dedicated to eye care can help you find stylish and comfortable sunglasses that look great and offer 100% protection against harmful UV rays. 

How Ultraviolet (UV) Light Can Harm Your Eyes

Overexposure to UV light has been linked to various eye conditions, which can take years to develop and, if left untreated, could lead to serious damage. It’s important to understand the dangers of UV light and how we can protect our eyes. Let’s discuss some of the main eye conditions of UV exposure.

Cataracts

Cataracts are an age-related condition where the lens of your eye becomes cloudy, which makes it difficult to see clearly. They can also be caused by overexposure to UV radiation.

Eye cancers such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, choroidal melanoma, or intraocular lymphoma may also result from prolonged sun exposure without proper eye protection. The good news is that these conditions usually take several years to develop, so you can take steps now to protect yourself in the future! 

Eye Growths

Pterygium is a growth in the eye caused by excessive exposure to sunlight without eye protection. Surfers, skiers, fishermen, farmers, and those who spend long hours outdoors under the midday sun should be especially cautious when protecting their eyes from UV rays.

Snow Blindness

Snow blindness, or photokeratitis, is another condition that results from prolonged exposure to UV reflections off snow, ice, sand or water surfaces.

The Benefits of UV-Blocking Sunglasses 

UV-blocking sunglasses act as superheroes for your eyes by shielding them from harmful ultraviolet rays while enhancing your vision on bright, sunny days.

These stylish and practical accessories come in various designs to complement any outfit or personality and are uniquely tailored to support your eye health. Moreover, they can provide the whole family with a sense of reassurance, knowing that their eyes are well-protected against the long-term damaging effects of the sun’s rays.

Choose your ideal pair of UV protection sunglasses and enter the sun with confidence, comfort, and a clear vision for the future.

How to Pick Good Sunglasses

When it comes to sunglasses, you want something that looks fashionable and fits your style but also provides the ultimate protection for your eyes. Let’s go through some of the things you should look for when choosing sunglasses. 

  • UV Protection: The most important thing to consider when selecting sunglasses is UV protection. Look for lenses that block 100% of both UVA and UVB rays. You can find this information on the label or packaging of the glasses, or by asking a trusted optician. 
  • Fit: When trying on a pair of sunglasses, make sure they fit snugly on your face without pressing too hard against your skin. A pair that doesn’t fit well can let UV rays sneak in from the sides.
  • Polarized Lenses: Polarized lenses reduce glare at the beach, in the snow, or out on the water and can be especially helpful if you spend a lot of time outdoors in bright sunlight. However, they should not replace UV protection; they are just an extra feature to look for when choosing sunglasses. 
  • Darkness and Colour: Just because a lens is almost black doesn’t mean it blocks more UV rays than a lighter lens would; even light-coloured lenses can block 99–100% of both UVA and UVB radiation if treated with special UV-blocking chemicals during manufacture.
A variety of UV protection sunglass styles laying out on a surface

Find Protective, Fashionable Sunglasses at Legacy Eye Care

Don’t let the sun’s harmful UV rays ruin your vision! With Legacy Eye Care, you can find fashionable and practical sunglasses to keep your eyes safe. The variety of styles for both men and women will help you accessorize in style, whether exercising outdoors or cruising down the street.

Our team provides personalized attention and consultations to ensure that your sunglasses can protect your eyes all year round. Book an appointment at Legacy Eye Care so we can help you find shades you love!

Written by Dr. Puneet Randhawa

Dr. Puneet Randhawa believes in building a genuine, long term relationship with her patients. She strives to bring forth a commitment to excellent patient care. Realizing that her patients are of different ages, with different visual needs, she takes a personal approach to their eye care. She is a skilled optometrist with over eight years of experience in comprehensive eye care including refractive and contact lens fittings. She uses her knowledge and her experience to provide treatment for ocular pathology, therapeutics and pre and post-op surgical co management.
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