When people go shopping for a new pair of sunglasses, they often think only about how “cool” their glasses are and how good they look on their faces. While it’s natural to want sunglasses that flatter you, this shouldn’t be their main purpose. It’s all too easy to forget that sunglasses were originally designed to protect and shield the eyes from the sun’s harsh rays. Not wearing sunglasses or not wearing the right sunglasses can actually have serious and long-lasting consequences—consequences much more serious that not looking great while you’re driving through town or lounging on the beach.
One of the major risks of not wearing sunglasses is skin cancer around the eyes. While most people only think about protecting major areas like the face, back, and appendages, it is still possible to get cancer in these sensitive areas. Having sunglasses on provides a physical block to the sun’s rays and reduces the risk of skin cancer. Quality sunglasses also provide protection against cornea injuries, retina damage, iris damage, eye-cancer, cataracts, and vision impairment. Don’t think you only need sunglasses when you’re directly in the sun or that you can avoid these issues by avoiding staring into the sun. For the ultimate protection, sunglasses should be worn anytime the sun is out and you’re out in it!
In addition to reducing your chances of these serious medical and vision issues, sunglasses have many other benefits as well. The right pair, for example, can lessen your risk of photokeratitis. That is simply a fancy word for sunburn of the eyes. Yes, believe it or not, your eyes can actually suffer from sunburn just like other parts of the body. If you’ve ever been out in the sun and then experienced watering and painful eyes, you’ve likely suffered from photokeratitis. Another bullet dodged with the right sunglasses is pinguecula. These are benign, painless growths on the eye that may cause swelling and redness. While they are not necessarily harmful, they can be quite ugly to look at. Plus, there is always the risk that they may turn malignant.
If left untreated, a pinguecula can easily turn into a pterygium, which is an overgrowth of tissues and blood vessels. This problem is much more serious and can cause permanent vision problems that can only be treated by invasive and expensive surgery. When you take that into consideration, it makes sense to spend a little bit more money on high quality sunglasses!
Fortunately, there are many good sunglasses on the market today. While there is no rule that says you can only buy name-brand glasses, some brands are known for providing better protection than others. Top brands that you’ll want to consider as you shop include Ray-Ban, Oakley, Prada, Polaroid, Gucci, Fendi, Guess, Vogue Eyewear, DKNY, and Emporio Armani Eyewear. Made by known designers and crafted with the input of optometrists, these brands are known for being both fashionable and protective. Yes, they might cost you more than glasses found at a local discount store, but the protection you’ll receive will be well worth it.
No matter what brand you buy, there are certain qualities you should always look for in a pair of sunglasses. Choose sunglasses that have a high percentage of UV blockage, that feature large lenses for fuller protection, that protect you against glare, and that have a secure, wraparound shape. If you follow these tips carefully, you (and your eyes!) should be in great shape.
