Protecting Your Eyes from the Sun
Summer is here. And that means more time out and about. It means more Frisbee tossing, more festivals, more water sports, more lunches on the patio, more time just laying out by the pool and working on that bronzy glow.
It also means more sun exposure to the blazing sun.
I remember when I was younger, my grandmother would always sit out on the porch, leaning her head back with her eyes closed, and letting the sun kiss her face. She would do this every morning for at least 10 minutes. And while that’s one way to upkeep your tan, I would ask her what she was doing and she would tell me she’s giving her eyes their fair share of Vitamin D.
Now, I am not doctor. I am a writer. So I can’t even tell you if that works or if my grandmother just blatantly tricked me into sitting next to her with my eyes shut tight, still and quiet, for 10 whole minutes – but while the sun’s rays do provide Vitamin D, they can be quite harmful if you don’t protect your eyes from direct sunlight.
It’s no revelation the extensive sun exposure can cause damage to your skin. But did you know, it can also harm your eyes? By the time we are legal adults, meaning 18, we will have had 80 percent of our UV exposure because, though parents are diligent about protecting our skin, our eyes often go neglected.
But despite age, your eyes can suffer from damage anytime you expose them to direct sunlight. According to the Washingtonian, people with lighter eye colors are more susceptible to UV light damage because they have less pigmentation in their iris. The more pigmentation you have – the more “natural” protection you have, but that doesn’t mean you don’t still need to protect your eyes.
So, what can you do? Simply speaking, cover your eyes.
My grandmother had the right idea with keeping her eyes closed. But for the times you can’t meditate in the sun (or trick your grandchildren into sitting still), make sure you are protecting your eyes with UV blocking sunglasses.
Alongside wearing sunglasses that protect you from harmful UV rays, you may want to get sunglasses that also protect you from glare. These are a special type of lens, called polarized lenses. They break glare to keep strain off your eyes.
With those awesome designer sunglasses, you should also continue to wear sunscreen and add a cute hat to your ensemble. The skin around your eyes is also sensitive and susceptible, so protect it from harmful rays to prevent damage (and wrinkles, mind you) by applying sunscreen around your eyes, and shielding your eyes under a hat and behind some awesome, designer sunglasses.
Check out our collection of great sunglasses that provide you the fashion you want and the protection you need. And now, you can even virtually try them on! So, what are you waiting for? Protect your eyes today!
