Resist the Urge to Shelf Those Sunglasses During The Winter: Sunnies Provide Protection Even When Temps Plunge

As temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, many people in Northern climates think it’s time to store away their sunglasses until they take their February vacation to South Beach or Spring makes its much anticipated return.

But keeping those sunglasses out of hibernation — even during the “less sunny” winter months — can help protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, decrease the risk of later vision disorders, and help you see and be seen.

Why Wear Sunglasses in the Winter?

It’s easy to get lulled into a false sense of security when the temperatures drop outside and the sun appears only for eleven hours.

Although you don’t feel the heat of the sun during the winter months, the dangerous UV rays are still there. It’s like sunbathing on a cloudy day in July — you think you are fine until you turn red at 8 pm.

During the winter, UV radiation hits your eyes from multiple directions.  Not only do you get it from above, but you also have to deal with reflected UV radiation from snow, icy pavement and salted roads.

The glare off from snow, for example, can actually be more damaging than the reflected UV radiation from a sandy beach or from a water surface in the summer. That’s why you will often see skiers with custom-made specialty eyewear or  goggles with UV protection built in.

The Impact of UV Radiation on Your Eyes

Cumulative exposure to UV rays has been linked to a variety of problems, including:

• Age-related cataracts
• Macular degeneration.
• Abnormal growths on the eye’s surface
• Sunburn to the eyes.

These conditions can cause blurred vision, irritation, redness, tearing, temporary vision loss and, in some instances, blindness.

Tips to Protect Your Eyes in The Wintertime

Check out these tips from the Michigan Optometric Association (MOA) to reduce the chances of eye damage from exposure to UV radiation:

1. Wear protective eyewear any time the eyes are exposed to UV rays,
even on cloudy days and during the winter.

2. Look for quality sunglasses that offer good protection. Sunglasses
should block 99 percent or more of UV-A and UV-B radiation and block 75
percent to 90 percent of visible light.

3. Check to make sure sunglass lenses are perfectly matched in color
and free of distortions or imperfections.

4. Purchase gray-colored lenses because they reduce light intensity
without altering the color of objects to provide the most natural color
vision.

5. Be sure your children are protected – studies show that the majority
of an individual’s lifetime UV exposure occurs by age 18.

Extra Protection: Get Your Eyes Examinated Yearly

Additionally, the Michigan Optometric Association recommends that people schedule an annual, comprehensive eye exam with a state-licensed optometrist as a way to monitor eye health, maintain good vision and keep up-to-date on the latest in UV radiation protection.

Plus, with so many cool sunglass frames to choose from at Urban Optiques, caring for your vision never looked so good.  So there’s no reason to ditch those sunnies just because winter has arrived.