Benefits of Sunglasses : Unexpected Benefits & Eye Protection

Think of creating a fashion statement think sunglasses. The moment you hear the word, your mind starts imagining a beach holiday, a day brunch with your friends, or  putting them on with the best outfits. So, sunglasses have come a long way from your friend that protects your eyes from the sun’s glare to a fashion accessory.

However, the real challenge begins, when you are plagued by a basic question “How often should I wear sunglasses?” keeping the health of your eyes in focus, the most pertinent question for which you need an answer is whether you should wear sunglasses every day. It’s true that sunglasses today are viewed as a fashion accessory but you must not forget its basic function and that is to protect your eyes from the damage of sun’s rays.

Sun protection and your eyes

Before probing the benefits of wearing sunglasses, you need to know what equation exists between sun and your eyes and the reasons you need protect them. One of the most crucial reasons to wear sunglasses is protecting the eyes from UV rays. Research reveals that long-term exposure to these rays may cause substantial damage to your eyes and leads to the development disorders like cataract and macular degeneration.

That’s why you need sunglasses to block 100% of UV rays, especially when you are out in the sun. However, even on days when the sun stays behind the sun, you must put on your sunglasses. Here are the harmful UV radiations from which you need to protect the eyes:

• UVB rays

The low-energy UVB rays come out of the ozone layer of the atmosphere and exposing your eyes to them may result in serious eye conditions like photokeratitis, pinguecula, and pterygium.

• UVC rays

UV rays are high-energy radiations and poses risks to your eyes. Although the ozone layer prevents these rays from reaching the earth’s surface, some of them are filtered through due to depletion of this layer. Not wearing sunglasses may result in serious health problems.

• UVA rays

UVA rays contain the least amount of energy but they enter through the cornea and reach the retina and lens. Apart from this, excess radiation is related to the emergence of various types of cataracts, eventually resulting in macular degeneration.

Tips to buy sunglasses from experts

When shopping for sunglasses, consult an optometrist to find out the medical reasons for wearing sunglasses so that you can pick the right pair of glasses with ease:

1. Try to buy sunglasses that filter helps in filtering 100% UVA and UVB rays and they prevent up to 90% of visible light to reach your eyes.
2. Even if you are wearing contact lenses, not all of them may help in protecting your eyes from the sun’s glare, so you need to put on sunglasses whenever you are out of doors.
3. When choosing lenses make sure to get them in matching colours and it should not have imperfections.
4. The sunglasses you buy should match your facial contours and situated close to your eyes.

Benefits of wearing sunglasses

Explore the uses of sunglasses in summer and you will come to know that you must never step outside without them. You have seen your parents putting them on since childhood but it is important to know why it is a must-have accessory for summer:

1. Protect the eyes from UV rays

Whether you are stepping out in the sun for work, sitting by the pool or beach, or engaged in outdoor sports like biking or waterskiing, the one thing you cannot skip is a sunglass. However, don’t just buy any pair of sunglasses. Try to check whether they block 100% of the harmful rays of the sun. Moreover, sunglasses not only protect your eyes from UV rays but protect them from sand, dust, and debris.

2. Prevent eye disorders

Studies indicate that exposing your eyes to the sun’s rays increases the chances of developing macular degeneration and cataract. Eventually, you may also suffer from vision problems and blindness. Cataracts lead to blurred vision as the natural lens of the eyes is clouded by a thin film. Apart from this, the sun’s rays may also cause rare forms of cancer where excess tissue grows on the eyeball. The easiest way to avoid such risks is wearing sunglasses, especially if you stay out for long hours.

3. Stay safe from headaches and migraines

Do you suffer from migraines and intense headaches? The bright rays of the sun often trigger pain. So, before things go wrong, invest in a pair of sunglasses that not only filters out UV rays but also blocks the sun’s rays. That way, you can mitigate the discomfort and allow your vision to stay intact.

4. Essential for people at risk

Do you have a family history of macular degeneration and cataracts? Do you have light-coloured eyes that may develop a higher risk of developing melanoma? Certain medicines and prescription drugs make your eyes prone to damage from UV rays.  You cannot cure these problems once they develop but prevent them by wearing sunglasses.

5. Weather protection

While the sun causes a lot of damage to your eyes, it’s not the only thing that should cause concerns. The weather elements can also damage your eyes. So, when analysing the benefits of sunglasses, you need to factor this in and put them on as frequently as you should.

When it comes to wearing sunglasses, you need to put them on whenever you step out in the sun. But to buy a pair of authentic sunglasses, navigate to our website where optometrists would guide you to pick the best pair of sunglasses after conducting comprehensive examinations.