Stop Squinting--Wear Sunglasses!

We’re finally enjoying some warm sunny weather, so head outside and take advantage of it. But don’t forget your sunglasses! Not only are they fashionable, fun, and cool-looking, they protect your peepers from the sun’s sizzling rays. Here are some sight-saving reasons to sport the shades:

 

·        UV protection.  The sun’s harmful rays can leave your eyes prone to cataracts and macular degeneration. It can also cause temporary sunburn of the eye’s surface—it feels like sand in the eyes. Ouch!

·        Comfortable vision.  The sun’s brightness interferes with our ability to see clearly by causing squinting and watery eyes. Sunglasses reduce glare and comfort the eyes.

·        Skin cancer.  Cancer of the eyelids and skin around the eyes is more common than you think, so wear your shades for all outdoor activity, even on cloudy days and during winter months.

·        Dark adaptation. Spending 2 or 3 hours in bright sunlight can make it difficult to see at nighttime. This can make night driving more hazardous.

·        Preventing wrinkles. It’s not just the sun that accelerates aging; it’s those constant muscle contractions from squinting, too.

So get in the habit of wearing shades every time you go out. And be sure to choose sunglasses with 100% UV protection!