Do You Need Sunglasses in Winter?

So, are you ready to face the upcoming Winter?

People usually have their stuff ready. Boots, scarves, and warm coats are some of the items that come to mind this season. But, there’s one thing people often miss: the sunglasses.

The idea of wearing sunglasses during Winter might be somewhat absurd for some people. People do wear them during Summer, and in fact, almost 80% of Americans wear sunglasses during Summer.

But how about Winter? Since the vision is already limited due to the snow, is wearing sunglasses a good idea in Winter?

Turns out, even when the weather feels cold outside, UV rays can still always come through. These make sunglasses worthy of reducing the risks of eye problems, especially in Winter.

The Danger of UV Rays

People may refer to UV rays as sunlight, the shine that comes from the sun. In reality, UV rays are invisible, and they’re a type of radiation that may harm living beings, including humans.

Although the ozone absorbs a part of UV rays, the other parts, UVA and UVB, are spreading the threats.

Reasons to Use Sunglasses in Winter

In colder months, especially Winter, these rays may cause an eye problem called photokeratitis or snow blindness.

This problem is often felt by snowboarders or skiers who don’t wear any eye protection. If you go skiing without wearing anything to cover your eyes, you’ll be exposed to this disease almost immediately.

And know that this eye problem isn’t only affecting people who are doing these sports. Even when you’re just strolling around the city in Winter, you can be directly exposed to an excessive amount of radiation.

Not only snow blindness, but people may also suffer from other eye problems, including cataracts. Cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness.

Tips to Buy The Suitable Sunglasses

Choosing sunglasses should not only be based on the model. Choose sunglasses that have protection features so that your eyes are protected from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

While sunglasses are generally the same, there are certain types of sunglasses that might interest you. They come with different features and capabilities that can be suitable for some people.

Here are tips on choosing sunglasses so you can get the benefits:

1. Choose The Big Frame

The first tip for choosing sunglasses is with a frame large enough to cover the eyes and the surrounding area. This is important to prevent UV rays from entering the sides of the eye.

However, make sure to try each pair of sunglasses first, and keep the one that fits in your head. Look for sunglasses that sit nicely, not too tight or too loose.

2. Pick Lenses That Block Light

Good sunglasses must also have lenses that are able to block 75 percent of incoming light. In fact, eye health experts recommend choosing sunglasses with lenses that are able to filter out almost all ultraviolet A and B rays.

If you want, you can also opt for the clip-on sunglasses. In order to be ready to face various conditions, you may easily change the clip on sunglasses, which diminishing the needs to carry more than one pair of sunglasses.

These sunglasses will make it easier for the user to switch lenses by removing and applying the clip on—no need to worry about bringing more sunglasses pairs anymore.

3. Buy Sunglasses That Have Even Lens Darkness

The next tip for choosing glasses is to look for lenses that have an even color or lens darkness. You can hold the sunglasses with your arms straight out in front of you to test them out. Then, look straight at distant objects through the glasses.

If the object you are looking at becomes warped or distorted after you slowly move the glasses horizontally, the lens is not eligible. But remember, there is no guarantee that dark-colored lenses can ward off harmful ultraviolet rays.

Conclusion

Although the weather outside is cold, doesn’t mean that the sun won’t harm your eyes. Despite the colder temperature, UV rays that can still penetrate the Ozon layer and definitely dangerous for your vision. So, always be prepared and equip sunglasses for extra safety!