Protect Those Eyes!

There’s so much more to sunglasses than meets the eye. The right pair of sunglasses can transform even the most uncool individual into a movie star. What many people don’t know is what really makes sunglasses cool is their ability to protect and preserve vision and eye health.
Many people wear sunglasses while driving or while at the beach when the sun is really shining, but it’s important to wear sunglasses more often than that. Wearing sunglasses while outside in the daylight (yes, every time) is the ideal way to protect eyes from sun damage. 

Effects of UV Rays on Eyes
Frequent exposure to the sun without proper sunglasses can wreak havoc on eyes of every age. Over time, failure to wear sunglasses can eventually lead to partial or complete vision loss. There are many other serious issues that result from UV rays.

Cataracts, which are common among older people, is a clouding of the eye that can be caused by UV ray exposure. 
Macular Degeneration is the slow but steady loss of vision which is a result of damage to the retina. 
Skin cancer can be occur on the delicate skin around the eyes.
Pterygium is a white growth that covers the whites of the eyes and can cause astigmatism, which greatly affects vision.

These terrible conditions can be avoided by simply wearing proper sunglasses when outside in the daylight.

Choosing the Right Sunglasses
Looking good in a pair of sunglasses is certainly important, but there are many other things to consider, as well. The most important parts of finding the right pair of sunglasses are the fit and the UV protection. Sunglasses should fit close to the face but not touch the eyelashes. The top of the frame should line up with the brow line. The UV protection in sunglasses should block 99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays. Sunglasses that do not block at least 99% should never be worn.

Sunglasses are a terrific way to protect eyes and look stylish at the same time. By choosing the right sunglasses and always wearing them outside, eyes will be safe from sun damage.

Photo by Ashley Linh Trann