We don’t know how you’re feeling, but we’re so excited for spring! We’re planning out our garden and getting ready to see flowers everywhere and spend more time outside. But, if you’re like us, you need to plan ahead. Before you get ahead of yourself and rush outside, do you have the necessary equipment to make your life easier? If you’re gardening, you’ll need gloves, shovels, and other tools to help keep weeds at bay, but you may also want sunglasses to keep your eyes safe from the sun.
UV Protection
If nothing else, this is the thing to look for when examining new or current sunglasses in your closet. If you have an old pair of aviators and don’t remember if they provide UV protection, consider upgrading, especially if they feel flimsy or cheap. They may frame your face nicely, but protection is what should determine what sunglasses stay in your care. Consider that exposure to UV rays can lead to damage to your eyes, including cataracts. When you think you need sunscreen, you probably also should bring sunglasses.
Invest in sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. In smaller amounts, these rays can actually be good for us and we need sunlight to get vitamin D. But, when our eyes are exposed to UV light for too long, it can lead to cataracts and other eye issues.
Color of Lenses
A cool, trendy color or really dark lenses can be really nice, but dark colors don’t make up for UV protection. Interestingly, the pupil of your eye adjusts to the amount of light available: it allows the perfect amount into your eye to help you see. If you happen to be wearing dark lenses, your pupil will open up wider to make up for the lack of light. So, if your dark sunglasses don’t have UV protection, you may be actually causing more damage to your eyes.
If you’re not sure what to get when you’re out looking for sunglasses, get in touch with us to learn more about eye health. We can help you make smarter choices and keep your eyes healthy this summer. Give us a call at 781-245-5200 to schedule a consultation today.