You may keep your sunglasses in your car to block the sun glare on your way home from work, and you’re sure to pack them in your luggage for your beach vacation. But what about when you’re walking the dog? Or playing outside with the kids? Like your skin, your eyes are vulnerable to ultraviolet (UV) light and need protection year-round, even when the sun is hiding behind the clouds.
At Eyes on Hartz Optometry in downtown Danville, CA, optometrist Jennifer Hoang, OD, and her team strive to help keep your eyes healthy. To that end, here are five ways wearing your sunglasses year-round helps you take care of your eyes and overall health.
As with your sensitive skin, the sun can damage your eyes in a very short time if they’re not protected by your sunglasses. Intense UV rays cause photokeratitis, also known as “sunburn to the eye.” In addition to being painful, photokeratitis causes redness, light sensitivity, and tearing. You may also experience a gritty sensation or feel as though something is stuck in your eye with photokeratitis.
Sunglasses also protect the delicate skin around your eyes against sun damage and skin cancer.
Both macular degeneration and cataracts are eye conditions that most often develop as you get older. Overexposure to UV rays, specifically the visible UVA rays, may increase your risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts.
Additionally, exposing your eyes to high-energy visible (HEV) radiation, also known as blue light, may contribute to the development of macular degeneration, especially when combined with a diet low in vitamin C and other antioxidant-rich foods.
Also known as surfer’s eye, pterygium is a wedge-shaped, benign growth that develops on the eye and can affect vision. Overexposure to UV light is the primary cause of the benign growth, but the wind, which dries out the eye, may also play a role in its development. Wearing sunglasses year-round protects your eyes from both damaging UV rays and drying wind and may help prevent pterygium.
When it comes to signs of aging, the delicate skin around your eyes is usually the first to show crow’s feet, frown lines between the brows, and bags under the eyes. Sunglasses may help delay the signs of aging by protecting your delicate skin from the sun, which accelerates aging by damaging the proteins that keep your skin tight and strong. Regular use of sunglasses may also help prevent squinting, which can help prevent the formation of deep frown lines.
You know how you feel after spending hours driving in the car? Tired and worn out. Well, that’s eyestrain. Exposing your eyes to bright light can also lead to eyestrain. If you’re feeling a bit tired after your outdoor lunch break, and you don’t know why, it may be due to eyestrain from sun glare. Wearing sunglasses regularly reduces eye strain and may help prevent your afternoon energy lull.
Like your skin, your eyes are vulnerable to the sun's damaging rays, and wearing UV-protected sunglasses year-round is a must. We have high-quality sunglasses, prescription and nonprescription, that can protect your eyes from the sun. For more information, contact Eyes on Hartz Optometry.
