Do you wear lotion when your skin feels dry? Do you wear tennis shoes when you run? Do you wear sunglasses in the summer? So why don’t you wear sunglasses in the winter? You wear sunglasses in the summer because of the sun, but the sun is around all year, even in the winter. Read some tips here to find out why you should wear sunglasses in the winter.
Two Letters: U/V
UV rays are intensified during the winter. Sunglasses are recommended to wear in the winter because they protect your eyes from UV rays. UV light has the potential to age your eyes prematurely and could lead to cataracts. Your risk increases with higher altitudes and the number of times your eyes are exposed to UV Lights. Now, of course, every pair of sunglasses blocks different percentages of UV rays. Consider reading on to find out the different types of winter sunglasses.
Snow Blindness
Corneal sunburn, called photokeratitis, is the result of high short-term exposure to UV-B rays. Corneal sunburn is more common than many people realize. In snowy settings, intense light impressions and glare can cause the eye to suffer from immediate sunburn. Sunburn of the cornea can lead to temporary blindness and can happen in high elevation areas. Sunglasses and goggles prevent snow blindness.
Sunglasses Reduce Glare
Low winter sun and reflections from the snow can cause intense glare. This impairs your vision outdoors, so wearing sunglasses in snowy conditions is an absolute must. Snow can cause problems with glare and visual concepts, which can be harmful to your eyes and especially dangerous when driving, walking in high traffic areas, or participating in winter sports/outdoor activities.
Sunglasses Protect Eyes from Wind, Dust, and Debris
Snowsports, just like any other sport, has a high risk of injury. Injuries are unpredictable, which is why you should wear sunglasses snowboarding. Sticks and rocks are common on the snow slopes, and wearing sunglasses will protect your eyes from debris. Too much wind in your eyes can cause your eyes to become extremely dry. Also, having dust in your eyes will irritate your eyes, which would most likely result in you injuring yourself since you won’t be able to see.
Sunglasses Reduce Headaches and Eye Strain
When you don’t wear sunglasses or goggles to protect your eyes in the winter, you most likely realize you have to squint to see when the sun is shining bright. When you continuously squint, it causes your eyes to strain. Squinting also caused headaches. Furthermore, even if you aren’t squinting, the cold wind from the snow mixed with the UV rays hitting your eyes is a recipe for disaster.
Since sunglasses are beneficial in the winter just as much as they are in the summer, schedule an appointment today and get you some sunglasses for the winter. We are here to help protect your eyes all year round.