Sunglasses keep your eyes healthy and protect them from dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne irritants. Protective sunglasses for Protective and prescription sunglasses for women and men are made to reduce the effects of ultraviolet light exposure on your eyes and the delicate skin and tissues around them. The impact of UV exposure happens slowly over time, so most people don’t notice the damage until it’s too late. Here are a few of the adverse effects of not wearing sunglasses:
Increased Risk of Eye Problems
Prolonged exposure to the sun without proper eye protection has been linked to several common eye health concerns. Damage from the sun’s rays can increase the risk of eye infections, burns, and cancerous and non-cancerous growths. Well-known eye problems like cataracts and macular degeneration can also stem from sun exposure. You can protect your eyes from these issues by wearing premium sunglasses with a UV rating.
1. Photokeratitis
Prolonged sun exposure without sunglasses can lead to photokeratitis or sunburned eyes. Spending the day on the beach or ski slopes without proper eye protection can expose your corneas to intense sunlight. Sand and snow are known to intensify the effects of the ultraviolet rays of the sun, causing inflammation in your corneas. Your corneas are the clear parts at the front of your eyes that cover your pupils and irises.
Photokeratitis is a common condition that causes inflammation, redness, tearing, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light. If you have sunburned eyes, you may have the sensation that something is stuck in your eyes. Photokeratitis can be very painful or uncomfortable. Try not to rub or scratch your eyes to prevent further irritation. This condition usually resolves on its own with time.
2. Pterygium
Also known as surfer’s eye or farmer’s eye, pterygium is a condition where a non-cancerous growth forms on the mucous membrane covering the white of the eye. These growths occur when an individual spends long hours in the sun without protective sunglasses. Pterygium growths can grow to extend over the cornea, causing vision problems like astigmatism if left untreated. Mild cases can be treated with medicated eyedrops. More serious growths require surgical removal to prevent blindness.
3. Cataracts
Overexposure to UV light can break down the lenses of your eyes, causing them to crack or become cloudy. Your eye lenses are responsible for focusing light rays on the retina to produce clear vision. With cataracts, you can experience blurry, faded, or double vision. You may also develop sensitivity to light. To treat cataracts, you’ll need a medical professional to perform the surgical removal of the lenses and replace them with intraocular lenses. You can prevent the formation of cataracts by wearing appropriate sunglasses.
4. Macular Degeneration
Unprotected sun exposure is one of the factors in the development of age-related macular degeneration. Macular degeneration causes blind spots in your vision. It is among the leading causes of vision loss in older people. If you’re diagnosed with macular degeneration, low-vision aids are the most effective treatment. Aids like text magnifiers and handheld magnifying glasses can amplify your usable vision and make the most of the light entering your eyes.
5. Cancer
You can use sunglasses to prevent sun-related skin cancer if you regularly spend hours in the sun. The most serious form of skin cancer, melanoma, can affect various body parts including the eyes, eyelids, and skin surrounding the eyes. Melanoma can affect the iris and the layer of tissue between the retina and sclera in your eye. To treat melanoma, medical professionals recommend radiation, thermotherapy, or surgery. These procedures can restore normal vision if the melanoma was obscuring your sight.
Reduced Quality of Life
Eye problems can reduce your overall productivity and level of comfort. Some eye conditions are treatable, but they can require a substantial financial investment. Eye medications and surgeries also come with potential risks and side effects that could affect your vision and overall quality of life. Eye diseases can increase your health expenses and may even leave you dependent on other people, medication, or artificial lenses. Preventative measures like wearing sunglasses can help you preserve your vision and experience the best possible quality of life.
Protective Sunglasses for Women, Men, & Children
When looking for protective sunglasses, stick to premium lenses with UV protection and to look stylish there are beautiful sunglasses with pink lenses that you just can’t miss. Look for sunglasses that block UVC, UVB, and UVA for 100% protection. Leading sunglass manufacturers offer premium-quality lenses and frames to keep you safe from the harmful effects of the sun. You can find designs that match your style to cover and protect your eyes and the delicate skin around them.
Top-rated eyewear brands offer a wide range of sunglasses for women, men, and children of all ages. You can find round, square, rectangle, geometric, aviator, cat-eye, oversized, and tortoise shell sunglasses. Choose reputable brands that offer both high-quality glasses and superior eye protection.
