Sunglasses come in all shapes, sizes, and designs. For many people, they’re more of a style statement than something to protect the eyes with. As the name suggests, sunglasses are made to protect the eyes from the sun and harmful UV rays. Many of us are often unaware of the dangers that the sun can pose. While sitting outside to relax in the sun and enjoy the nice weather may sound exciting, your eyes are at risk of developing different problems without sunglasses.
Here is how sunglasses can help protect your eyes:
- Protection against Sunburn
- Just like our skin, our eyes can also get sunburned. Whenever the rays from the sun enter your eyes, they trigger the risk of inflammation. This is also known as photokeratitis. Spending a whole day without protective sunglasses can make your eyes more watery, itchy, and sensitive. This happens when your eyes get sunburned.
- In most cases, the problem is not serious, and a patient may recover naturally within a few days. However, it can prove to be bothersome for many. Therefore, it is advisable that you don’t forget your sunglasses when venturing out in the scorching sun.
- Protection against Cataracts
- A cataract is an eye condition in which clouding affects the surface of the eye lenses. The lens is a clear part of the eyeball from where we see. When clouding occurs, we end up seeing blurry images. Normally, the diseases occur as a person becomes older, but in certain cases, it can be due to harmful UV rays from the sun.
- It is estimated that over 20% of cataract cases can be linked to the sun. Sunglasses help your eyes by shielding you from harmful rays.
- Macular Degeneration
- Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of vision loss throughout the world. The macula is part of the eye that’s responsible for creating clear and sharp images. Without proper functionality, we won’t be able to do basic things such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces.
- Much like cataracts, a major risk factor for developing this disease is aging. However, unprotected and prolonged exposure to sunlight can also trigger the risk of macular degeneration. Therefore, adequate steps are necessary, such as wearing sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes.
Closer Look into Sunglasses
There are multiple elements at play that protect your eyes against the sun. Here are a few notable features:
- UV Coating: The UV coating on the glass protects you from dangerous UV light. The plastic is made from polycarbonate material, which is effective against sun rays.
- Mirror Coating: The mirror coating applied at the front helps reflect the light back.
- Polarized Lenses: In cold areas, the eyes can easily become strained due to water and snow. The lenses keep off the polarized lights and make the outdoors safe to venture.
Final Thoughts
It is vital to get the right glasses whenever you are heading outside during the day. You can protect your eyes from different eye complications with just a pair of sunglasses.
