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Importance of Sunglasses: How Sunglasses Safeguard Your Eyes from UV Rays

Ultraviolet (UV) light is the main factor throughout the year that negatively affects our body, skin, and especially the eyes. Even though we often take precautions and apply sunscreen, the fact that we neglect eye protection is a common problem. Nevertheless, they help just beyond being stylish; they are also for your eyes’ safety and protect them from the hazardous effects of the UV rays. Recognising the importance of sunglasses can become a major factor in you taking the right steps to provide your eyes with protection from UV radiation. Also, you can be assured of their good condition for a long time.

How Sunglasses Protect Eyes from UV Rays?

Excessive exposure to UV rays creates damage to the cornea, lens, and retina. Using UV protection glasses shields your eyes from daytime UV rays. They are engineered to filter UVA and UVB rays, effectively eliminating reasonable risks of exposure, whether your eyes are under direct UV light or near reflections from surfaces like water, sand, or snow. Below, see how UV protection glasses protect eyes from UV rays damage:

1. Block Damaging UV Light:

The best sunglasses provide total UVA and UVB protection. This is important because, as we saw earlier, UV light causes considerable injury to the cornea, lens and retina. Thus, it results in an increase in the the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and other very serious eye diseases. 

2. Prevent Short-Term Eye Damage:

Extreme levels of UV light can cause photokeratitis or “sunburn of the eye.” The symptoms of photokeratitis include pain, redness, tearing, and even temporary loss of vision for some. In addition to this, sunglasses with a UV filter will help to prevent these symptoms.

3. Protects the Skin Around the Eyes

The skin around and on your eyes is very thin and sensitive and UV can cause ageing or cancer in a short time. Thus, sunglasses are a primary area for consideration for protection, even for the skin around the eye.

4. Less Glare and More Comfort

Polarised sunglasses also go beyond just the sun by cutting out the part of the light that makes glare from the reflective surfaces like water and snow. As such, they are safe in respect to protection from eye strain and also provide you with a good level of visual comfort.

5. Lowered Chances of Eye Disease

Cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium (growths on the surface of the eye) can develop in otherwise healthy eyes through continued exposure to UV rays from the sun. Although wearing sunglasses will not completely eliminate the occurrence of the disease, it is helps to reduce the chances of eye diseases.

6. Prevent Eyelid Cancer

In addition, UV rays can cause skin cancer to arise unilaterally on the eyelid. Wearing sunglasses acts as a physical barrier, in which this risk is limited, with no negative side effects of sunscreen irritating the delicate eyelid skin. 

7. Help Heal

After surgery or treatments such as LASIK, the eyes become even more sensitive; thus, UV rays can potentially harm them more than normal. Sunglasses can also be very useful in those situations to allow your eyes to heal, and perhaps help you heal faster, and protect eyes from UV rays.

Picking Sunglasses for Maximum Eye Protection

It is very important to select the right sun protection for your sunglasses. When choosing a pair of sunglasses, pay attention to: 

  • UV400 or 100% UV Protection: Ensure your shades are rated UV400 or 100% UV Protection means that they are blocking UV rays up to 400 nm. Not every pair of shades that is marked as “UV protection” protects you from the full UV spectrum, so you must check. 
  • Proper Size and Fit: Sunglasses should be close to and tightly fitted to your eyes with no gaps. They need to fit properly to ensure protection from the maximum amount of UV rays and any other possible dangers in the environment.
  • Wraparound Frames: Sunglasses with frames that wrap around your face will provide better protection against light UV rays entering from the sides of your face and will offer you full eye protection.

Prioritise Eye Protection: Choose Sunglasses That Truly Safeguard Your Eyes

Your eyes are irreplaceable; therefore, it is very important to keep them in good care, and one of your daily habits should be to protect eyes from UV rays. Once you purchase a quality pair of sunglasses that are entirely UV protected, you will not only protect your eyes but also ensure that you keep your vision for a lot longer. Get the best eye care at Carlton & Stanley, who combine the best styles with great comfort and the ultimate protection for your eyes.

Visit Carlton & Stanley now to find your perfect pair and make eye protection a part of your everyday routine.

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