“In addition to reducing the brightness of being outdoors for comfortable viewing, sunglasses reduce your exposure to harmful UV rays that protect the sensitive parts of our eyes,” says Dr. Lee. “Sunglasses should be worn outdoors regardless of whether it’s sunny or cloudy because UV rays will still travel through the clouds. Additionally, wearing a hat with your sunglasses will reduce exposure.“
5 reasons to wear sunglasses for eye health
“The sun exposes us to ultraviolet rays that can do significant damage to our eyes over time,” says Dee. lo. “This can lead to many eye conditions.”
1. Skin cancer
“Skin cancer can occur on our eyelids as it does on other parts of our body due to the harsh effects of long-term exposure to UV rays,” says Dr. Lee. You also want to make sure you apply sunscreen to your eyelids.
2. Eye of a surfer
“Pterygium/pinguecula is a growth of tissue that spreads from the whites of our eyes toward the visual center of our eyes onto the cornea,” says Dr. Lee. “[It’s] Also known as surfer’s eye because sunlight is reflected off the surface of the water, which increases exposure to surfers. If left untreated, the corneal tissue can change resulting in distortion or loss of vision. “
3. Cataracts
“A cataract occurs when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, resulting in decreased visual clarity and potential blindness if not treated,” says Dr. Lee. “It’s a common condition that develops slowly over the years as we age, but exposure to ultraviolet light can speed up the development.”
4. Photokeratitis
“Photo keratitis is a corneal burn that occurs due to strong UV rays that commonly appear from a day at the beach or the slopes,” says Dr. Lee. This can lead to symptoms of blurred vision, light sensitivity, and pain.
5. macular degeneration
“Macular degeneration is also a potential side effect that causes central vision loss. The macula is the center of the retina where we see the clearest vision of our eyes,” says Dr. Lee. “In general, most harmful rays are filtered to the cornea and lens, but there is some evidence to suggest that the remaining rays can cause some damage to the retina, increasing the risk of macular degeneration.
10 pairs of eye health sunglasses under $30
When shopping for sunglasses for eye health, Dr. Lee says to look for sunglasses with anti-reflective coatings that block UV400 rays and shorter wavelengths. “This will reduce sun exposure to 99.9 percent of harmful days,” she says. Plus, you want lenses that cover the entire eye, so those tiny little glasses won’t cut it. “For outdoor activities around water or reflective surfaces, polarized sunglasses will block horizontal light to reduce eye strain and reflection,” she says. As long as your glasses meet these requirements, the color of the lens does not affect the effectiveness of UV protection.
However, having sunglasses that perfectly fit the bill can add something. Below you’ll find eight pairs that you can customize for optimal protection. You can also get it from your prescription (and if you do, you can spend your FSA/HSA dollars).
EyeBuyDirect Mila – $29 +
Shop these stylish eyeglasses from EyeBuyDirect. For complete UV400 protection, be sure to choose gradient, mirrored, or polarized lenses. Mirrored and polarized lenses are also complete with an anti-reflective coating. The frames are available in three styles: brown (pictured), tortoiseshell, and black in different lens colors depending on the type of lens you get.
Zenni Round Sunglasses 2019524 – $20 +
Add a splash of color to your sunglasses collection with these green frames. For 100 percent UV protection, choose from Tivex premium lenses or polarized lenses and add a reflective coating. Both are available in tinted or mirrored finishes in a variety of colours. Pictured are green gradient lenses with a mirror.
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EyeBuyDriect Sun Bardot – $29 +
Keep it simple with these oversized round sunglasses. These frames are available in three styles: ivory ivory (pictured), floral torture (a combination of black, purple and brown) and black. For complete UV400 protection, be sure to choose gradient, mirrored, or polarized lenses. Mirrored and polarized lenses are also complete with an anti-reflective coating.
EyeBuyDirect Culture – $29 +
EyebuyDirect’s Oval Culture Frames come in bronze (pictured), black, and gold. For complete UV400 protection, be sure to choose gradient, mirrored, or polarized lenses. Mirrored and polarized lenses are also complete with an anti-reflective coating.
EyeBuyDirect Samba – $22
EyeBuyDirect’s Samba frames deliver a pop of color along the brow line. It is available in frost mint (pictured), pink and floral (a gray-pink mix). For complete UV400 protection, be sure to choose gradient, mirrored, or polarized lenses. Mirrored and polarized lenses are also complete with an anti-reflective coating.
Zenni Aviator 419119 Sunglasses – $7 +
Have fun with these Zenni metallic aviators, available in rose gold (pictured), gold, gray, and silver. For 100 percent UV protection, choose from premium Tiffex or polarized lenses. Both are available in tinted or mirrored finishes in a variety of colours. Pictured are rose gold frames with mirrored gradient amber lenses.
EyeBuyDirect Impression – $29 +
These bold frames from EyeBuyDirect make a serious impression. It’s available in black (pictured), yellow, tortoiseshell, and aqua. For complete UV400 protection, be sure to choose gradient, mirrored, or polarized lenses. Mirrored and polarized lenses are also complete with an anti-reflective coating.
Zenni Cat-Eye 2032425 Sunglasses – $7
Make a statement with these cat-eye sunglasses from Zenni. They’re available in tortoiseshell (pictured), lake, hibiscus, and papaya. For 100 percent UV protection, choose from Tivex premium lenses or polarized lenses and add a reflective coating. Both are available in tinted or mirrored finishes in a variety of colours. Pictured are tortoiseshell frames with dark amber lenses.
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