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.

continue

Tags: Eye Care, Eyes, Michigan Optometric Association, MOA, Protect Eyes from UV, Sunglasses, Ultraviolet Radiation, UV, UV Protection, Vision, Vision Care