We all know how important it is to protect our skin from the sun, but what about our eyes? Shielding our eyes from direct sunlight is critical for their health. In this blog, we’ll be discussing the importance of UV protection, the benefits of wearing sunglasses and the factors you need to consider when selecting sunglasses.
UV Protection is Important
Regular exposure to UV rays from the sun can have severe implications for our overall eye health. From retinal diseases to vision impairment and eventually blindness, unchecked UV rays are responsible for all kinds of eye-related complications. Sunglasses don’t just make it easier to see on sunny days, but also protect our eyes from UV radiation. Mirror coating on sunglasses shields your eyeballs from UV radiations by reflecting sunlight away just like a mirror.
Advantages of Wearing Sunglasses
Wearing sunglasses with 100% UV protection will help you preserve your eye health both over the short and long term, but there are other reasons to wear sunglasses.
Some additional benefits of wearing sunglasses are:
- Providing clear vision even when it is bright and sunny outside
- Offering visual comfort and limits unnecessary exposure to glare; and,
- If your eyes are sensitive to light, wearing sunglasses helps you reduce light sensitivity symptoms such as squinting, headaches and eye strain.
How to Pick the Perfect Pair of Sunglasses
Choosing a perfect pair of sunglasses is so much more than just making a style statement. From lens type to lens coating, there are a number of things you need to consider before you finally select the pair that complements your style and gives your eyes the desired protection. Some important elements you should consider while selecting your sunglasses are:
Frame Shape and Height – Lens height allows you to make sure that your eyes, eyelids and all the delicate skin around them are completely protected. Usually, a lens height of 30 mm is standard for sunglasses.
Polarized Lenses – Polarized lenses offer complete UV protection. In contrast to the traditional non-polarized lenses, polarized lenses substantially reduce glare and enhance contrast. This makes polarized lenses a good fit for all kinds of outdoor activities such as sports and other water-based activities.
Lens Coatings – Lens coatings can significantly improve your lens performance. Anti-reflective coatings reduce the intensity of sunlight reaching your eyes and make it easier for you to see in bright daylight.
Lens Tints – Different kinds of tints are suitable for different conditions. Low-rated lenses are specifically designed for weak or low sunlight, whereas high-rated lenses work best under intense and extreme sunlight.
Contact Us
At Maine Optometry, we offer a wide variety of glasses to fit your specific needs and individual style. If you’re looking for a perfect pair of sunglasses for this summer season, stop by at one of our seven locations in Maine or call us at (207) 389-3525 to book an appointment. Our experts would love to help you pick the pair that best suits your needs.