Wishing you a wonderful (and safe) Memorial Day Weekend!

Don’t forget to take care of your eyes while enjoying all the beautiful sunshine. It is more important than you may think to a use a pair of sunglasses with UV protection.

Today designer sunglasses are fashionable, trendy, and considered as much an accessory as an optical device. But sunglasses also serve a very important purpose for your overall eye health.

UV Protection is essential to Eye Health

Just as they do they on your skin, the sun’s rays can have a harmful effect on your eyes .

UV radiation sun can damage not only the surface of your eyelid but also the cornea, lens and other parts of the eye. UV exposure also contributes to the development of certain types of cataracts.  Therefore, ultraviolet (UV) eye protection matters.

For those us living in the Twin Lakes Area, we tend to spend more time than most on or around the water. Fishing, boating, and outdoor recreation could mean higher UV exposure rates for us than for those living in urban areas.

When you’re choosing sunglasses, look for UV-protection details on product labels. Choose sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays.

Larger is better

Skip sunglasses that are labeled “cosmetic” and those that don’t offer details on UV protection. Opt for larger lenses rather than smaller lenses — or, better yet, the wraparound variety.

Tips for Selecting Sunglasses

Of course, UV protection isn’t the only consideration when it comes to selecting sunglasses. In addition to UV protection, here’s the lowdown on other options:

• Polarized lenses. Polarized lenses reduce glare, especially while on the water.  They tend to be a popular option for those who enjoy fishing and boating.  Most polarized lenses also offer UV protection.
  

• Blue-blocking lenses. Blue-blocking lenses — which are generally tinted amber — can make distant objects easier to see, especially in low light. Blue-blocking plastic lenses may make it difficult to discriminate the hues in traffic lights, however, and not all blue-blocking lenses offer adequate UV protection.

• Photochromic lenses. Photochromic lenses reduce glare and help maintain clarity, although they may take time to adjust to different light conditions. Not all photochromic lenses offer adequate UV protection, so be sure to check the product label.

• Polycarbonate lenses. Polycarbonate lenses offer protection from impact injuries that may be sustained during physical activities. Polycarbonate lenses also adequately shield the eyes from UV radiation. These lenses might be recommended for those involved in contact sports.

• Mirror-coated lenses. Mirror-coated lenses help block visible light, but they don’t necessarily block UV radiation.

Don’t like to wear sunglasses?

Standard prescription eyeglasses can be treated with a material that provides UV protection while retaining a clear, non-tinted appearance. Some contact lenses also offer UV protection — but because contact lenses don’t cover the entire eye, it’s still important to wear sunglasses for UV protection when you’re outdoors.

If you have any questions about which type of sunglasses are right for you, please contact us at our Sneed Optical Shop.  One of our skilled opticians will be happy to spend time with you in order to find that perfect pair.