4 Reasons Why You Need Winter Sunglasses
Everyone thinks sunglasses are just for the beach, but most people aren’t aware of the importance of wearing them during the winter as well. Here the top reasons why you should incorporate a pair of winter sunglasses (that block UV radiation) into your accessory line-up this season.
1. The winter sun can be more damaging than summer sun
Because the winter sun sits lower in the sky compared to summertime, the angle it’s at means your eyes can get more exposure to damaging UV rays than they would during the summer, particularly if you’re outdoors for a longer amount of time (ex. during sporting events).
2. If you spend a lot of time outdoors in winter, snow blindness is a concern
Snow blindness occurs when the cornea and conjunctiva are exposed to too much UV light in winter — many people think of it as getting a cold-weather sunburn on their eyes. Winter is a particularly high-risk season because snow and ice are powerful reflectors of UV rays. Common symptoms include pain, tearing, redness, light sensitivity, headache, and sometimes even temporary loss of vision.
Thinking of sunglasses for winter driving or activities? See our Oakville optical centre for the best brands and styles @ Envision Eye Care
3. Wearing sunglasses can protect your eyes from many ocular disorders and diseases
There are several ocular diseases and disorders associated with exposure to UV light — wearing sunglasses is an important preventative step that’s easy to add into your daily routine.
Here are some of the conditions you are at greater risk for if you allow your eyes to be exposed to excessive UV light:
- Cancer of the eyelid Lots of people are already on high alert to protect against skin cancer in general, but forget about their delicate eyelids. While it’s not practical to put sunscreen in that area as it can irritate the ocular surface, you can protect your lids extremely well by wearing a good pair of UV-blocking sunglasses.
- Cataracts UV light can cause the formation of undesirable free radicals inside the lens of your eye. Eventually, these free radicals damage the lens, leading to clouded vision that can only be corrected by surgery.
- Macular degeneration Excessive UV light exposure has been connected to an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration, one of the most common causes of vision loss in those over 50 years of age. Sufferers can experience decreased central vision, which can make it difficult to do simple everyday tasks such as reading.
4. Winter sunglasses look great
Everyone knows that when you wear a cool pair of shades in summer, you look chic and fashionable. Well, the same effect can be had by wearing them in the winter, so don’t miss out! There’s a massive selection of styles to choose from, so you’re sure to find something that suits your face perfectly! Just like when you’re choosing regular eyeglasses, you should select sunglasses based on factors such as shape of your face, function (ex. wearing for sports vs. driving), and budget.
Wearing winter sunglasses is a win for your ocular health
It’s not often that the latest fashion (wearing sunglasses in winter) is good for your health, but in this case, it’s true! There is a wide range of styles available to suit any look you want to go for, whether it’s understated elegance, hip, casual, or cutting-edge and trendy. You can get both prescription and non-prescription lenses, so no matter what your vision is like, you can easily protect your eyes. Make an appointment to talk to your optometrist about the type of sunglasses that are best for your situation, and get answers to any questions you have.