Sunglasses and Eye Protection: Why They’re More Than Just a Fashion Statement

When you think about sunglasses, one of the first things that comes to mind is how stylish they make you look.

Like, how cool are you when you pair aviators with a summer dress or don cat-eyes and a power suit?

Then, of course, you are always onto a winner when you match classic rounds with your date night jeans while putting on the good old heart shapes with your bikini is the ultimate vibe!

However you choose to wear them, sunnies can add a certain panache or elegance to your outfit and even create a sense of mystery, too.

But, of course, they also have a more important purpose than just being a trendy fashion accessory. Sunglasses play a vital role in protecting your eyes from various threats that they are constantly exposed to. (The clue is in its name!)

Here are six ways in which they can protect your long-term eye health.

How to Choose the Right Pair of Sunglasses

The reasons we are about to highlight illustrate why you should make a point to browse Prada sunglasses at 1001 Optometry or any similar high-quality brand of shades next time you are in the market for a new pair.

So, before we reveal them, it is worth quickly outlining what to look for when choosing a pair of sunnies.

In Australia, sunglasses are categorised into five lens types that run from 0 to 4 and offer different levels of glare and UV protection. When choosing a pair of sunglasses, you should seek guidance from an optometrist who will likely tell you to focus your search on brands with lenses that fall between categories 2 to 4.

Additionally, always check if a pair offers 100% UVA and UVB protection and make sure it covers the entire area of your eye – wraparound styles are particularly good for this.

Ways Sunglasses Protect Your Eyes

So, now you know what to look for in a pair of sunglasses, here are the main reasons why it is so important to wear them.

1. Protects Your Eyes from UV Rays

Perhaps the most important reason why you should wear sunglasses is to block ultraviolet (UV) rays. In Australia, the sun’s UVA and UVB rays are particularly strong and can cause significant damage to your eyes over time if you don’t protect them. 

You are at a much higher risk of contracting conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration, and even, in rare cases, cancer of the eye if you don’t wear a good quality pair of sunglasses with 100% UV protection.

2. Prevents Eye Strain

If you don’t have sunglasses on and find yourself squinting while out in the sun, that is your eye’s way of trying to adjust to the intense brightness it is encountering. 

The longer it is exposed to such conditions, the more it can cause eye strain and headaches, which can be quite debilitating. 

Thankfully, sunglasses make it easier for your eyes to stay relaxed by reducing the levels of glare and brightness they have to deal with. This is particularly helpful when driving but also when you are sunbathing at the beach or generally out and about.

3. Reduces the Risk of Eye Diseases

Those who spend a lot of time working or relaxing outdoors without wearing sunglasses can be susceptible to serious long-term eye issues – the likelihood of which increases the longer they are exposed to regular, prolonged sunlight.

These conditions include pterygium (also known as ‘surfer’s eye’), which causes a growth on the eye’s surface, and photokeratitis, a painful eye condition similar to a sunburn on your eyes. However, their risk can be significantly reduced by wearing a good quality pair of sunglasses.

4. Protection from Dust and Debris

Sunglasses don’t just protect against the sun. They also provide a barrier against dust, dirt, debris, insects and other foreign objects from entering your eyes.

The more you hike, cycle or even walk in windy areas without wearing sunglasses, the more likely you are to experience something getting caught up in your eye.

Most of the time, you will eventually wash it out, particularly when you have a shower. However, there is the possibility of your eye scarring or becoming infected if the particle remains in there, which could cause you problems down the line.

5. Blue Light Protection

Did you know the sun is the biggest source of blue light, similar to the kind you’re exposed to from screens?

As a result, spending time out in the sun without sunglasses on can cause you eye strain and disruptive sleep patterns in the same way as looking at your computer monitors, LED TVs, tablet screens and smartphones.

Thankfully, some brands of shades come with blue light filters that provide you with additional layers of eye protection, regardless of whether you are outside or working in front of digital devices.

6. Reflection

It might not be the first thing we think of, but reflective surfaces like water, snow and roads can cause glare.

So, if you are driving for a length of time or sitting by the ocean or a lake, you can leave yourself open to eye strain if you don’t have sunglasses on.

Photo by Alex Perez on Unsplash