When most people wear sunglasses, it’s typically for function (being able to see on a sunny day) and also for a fashion statement. But even when it might not seem bright enough outside to wear sunglasses, it’s still an important practice for keeping your vision in top shape.
UV radiation from the sun can be one of the most damaging effects your eyes are exposed and over time, and can cause long-term vision loss with conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration, sunburn of the eye, or even forms of rare eye cancer. Whether you’re an avid outdoor hobbyist or are just outside on occasion or when driving, it’s important to protect your eyes whenever possible.
Sunglass for Kids
It’s important for adults to protect their vision with sunglasses, but it’s even more important for kids as their eyes are developing. Last year, the Vision Council released a report stating that 73% percent of adults use sunglasses when it’s bright outside, but only 58% percent of parents provide them for their children. Many new styles of sunglasses are functional for children of small ages that help them stay on during activities like sports and playing in the pool. It’s also extremely vital that kids wear eye protection when participating in mountain winter sports and activities because UV rays are much more powerful when reflected off of snow. When possible, also provide kids with hats to shade vision even more.
Buying Sunglasses
When it comes to protecting your vision with sunglasses, price isn’t the biggest factor to look at. The most important element is the amount of UV protection they provide, which ideally is 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. You’ll also want to pay attention to which styles fit most comfortably and are a good choice for the type of lifestyle you have. Surprisingly, not all sunglasses sold on the market provide adequate protection for your eyes. Many sunglasses sold will list the UV protection on lens stickers, but if you’re still questioning how much protection your pair provides, an eye care professional can help you.
In addition to being Utah LASIK and cataract specialists, Davis Vision also has a full optical center where everyone can find high quality glasses, contacts and sunglasses. We have dozens of brand name sunglasses available and can even create prescription sunglasses. Contact us or stop by our Salt Lake City vision center to find out more.
