Sunglasses not just for a pretty face.
Sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement or to stop you getting crows feet and wrinkles from squinting your eyes against the sun or reducing glare when driving. They are key to protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays which is actually radiation. It’s worse if you are exposed to glare from the water, sand or snow so be sure to wear your sunglasses at these times. Long term exposure to UV radiation can cause PERMANENT eye damage.
Repeated exposure to the sun can various eye cancers including cancer of the eyelids which is why it’s so important to wear sunglasses year round. Short term damage can be indicated by excessive blinking, swelling around the eyes or even having difficulty looking at strong light sources. You can even get sunburn of the cornea which is akin to snow blindness. At least ten percent of eye cataracts are considered to be due to UV rays from the sun.
Make sure you have the right style of sunglasses for your outdoor activities and especially if you are in situations where you are exposed to a lot of glare or very strong sunlight. When purchasing sunglasses, style that sit close to the case and exclude light from the sides are ideal. Some manufacturers also provide details of UV protection levels, just like sunscreen.