13/08/2020
Time to learn! Sure sunglasses look extra cool but their main purpose
is ocular protection. UV can cause serious damage to your eyes like :
Cataracts - a clouding of the lens of your eyes and induces blurry vision. Approx. 20% of cataract cases are sun induced.
Macular degeneration - a disorder of the inside of your eye (retina) and affects central vision - can also
lead to blindness. Pterygium - also known as a "growth" over the surface of the eye. This is usually benign but can be unsightly and sometimes cause secondary
astigmatism.
Photokeratitis - also known as "sunburn of the eye" and can be caused by a reflection of uv from snow, ice or water as well as looking directly into a solar eclipse unprotected. Symptoms include pain, tearing, whitening of the eye, blurring of vision and grittiness. Solar retinopathy - loss of vision due to looking at the sun in normal conditions and during a solar eclipse without protection. This usually gets better on its own but can leave you with permanent reduced vision or
spots of vision loss.
UV is always present, even when the sun is hidden and is cloudy out.
Since you can't simply apply some sunscreen on your eyes before popping outside - opt for sunglasses with 100% uv protection, not all sunglasses offer this. Wide framed and wrap around sunglasses are the most preferable and the best for maximum protection (from every angle).
Remember that UV protection = polarized and visa versa
your best option would be to find a pair that offers
both these things! Tint and colour does not affect UV
protection.
Your kiddos also need sunglasses because they are outside more often than adults and sun damage is cumulative.
Remember, before you leave the house - pop on your sunscreen, grab a wide brimmed hat, a pair of stylish UV protecting sunnies and kill the day.