More Than Just A Fashion Statement: The Protective Power Of Sunglasses

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Sunglasses are most likely one of your favorite summer fashion accessories, and who can blame you? There’s something incredibly sexy about those dark lenses and thick rims. You’ll feel hot and mysterious, and the chances are that you’ll look it. But did you know that sunglasses are about more than just appearances?

  

Of course, to some extent, we all understand that sunglasses offer a degree of sun protection for out eyes. But, there’s actually a lot more to sunglass protection than you might be aware of.

In this article, we’ll consider the risks your eyes face during summer, the reasons why sunglasses are your best option for eye-based summer fitness, and how to choose a pair that provides precisely the level of protection you’re after.

Understanding the Risks of Too Much Fun in the Sun

When we talk about sun-based risks, we often focus on the threat posed to skin health. And, of course, high-factor sun cream is non-negotiable for avoiding risks like melanoma. But far fewer people realize that our eyes are equally at risk from various sun-based issues, which can include –

Pterygium eye (or ‘surfer’s eye’), which is often caused by over-exposure to UV light. It’s characterized by a growth on the sclera (white of the eye), which can damage sight in some cases. Symptoms include redness, irritation, and blurred or distorted vision.


Photokeratitis, which refers to sunburn on the inner eye, often on the cornea and conjunctiva. This can be incredibly painful and causes sensitivity, redness, and swelling.


Basal or squamous carcinoma can also appear on the eyelids and can be incredibly aggressive. They’re characterized by non-healing sores or red, scaly patches, as well as eyelid changes like thickening or inflammation.

What Good Sunglasses Can Do

High-quality, well-chosen sunglasses don’t just look great – they protect against pretty much every sun risk your eyes would face otherwise. This is largely due to all-important UV protection, which protects against various kinds of sun damage, including pterygium eye.

Sunglasses also serve to protect against risks like dust entering the eye during dry, hot summers, which can keep persistent problems like dryness and soreness at bay all season. And, of course, glasses generally enable us to see better during even the height of summer, which makes everything from driving to walking far less likely to result in injury. 

Choosing the Best Protection

All sunglasses offer some level of protection, but you can choose the best option for your needs by considering –

UV percentage: Look for a UV protection of between 95%-100%.


Look at lenses: Yellow lenses tend to offer less protection than alternatives like brown or gray. Equally, polarized lenses offer increased protection by reducing glare.


Size matters: It’s also worth considering the size of your chosen sunglasses. Large or wraparound lenses inevitably provide more protection than smaller alternatives that can let too much light in.

With summer almost amongst us, it’s time to get ahead by choosing the best sunglass protection you can find for those hot, poolside days!
 

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