5 Reasons You Should Wear Sunglasses More Often

Have you ever wondered why you should wear sunglasses?

There are many benefits of wearing shades, aside from their status as a style accessory, sunglasses have a host of benefits for your eyes. They cut down on glare, prevent problems with your eyes and contribute to better vision. With all that going for them, here are five reasons you should get some high quality shades and wear them regularly.

1. Sunglasses protect your eyes from the elements.

Whether skiing down a mountain, reclining on a tropical beach or biking along a dirt road, sunglasses can make the difference between damaging your eyes and having an enjoyable outdoor adventure. Sand, wind and dust can all irritate your eyes or scratch the cornea, sometimes causing permanent damage. Snow, while less abrasive, instead reflects UV rays from the sun at your eyes. If you’re spending a lot of time in the snow without sunglasses, it can cause “snow blindness,” a temporary loss of vision due to overexposure to the UV rays reflected off ice and snow. Wearing sunglasses will avert snow blindness and keep you on the slopes longer.

2. Sunglasses help prevent certain eye diseases related to the sun.

Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration and pterygium. Cataracts involves a clouding of the eye’s lens that can blur vision; macular degeneration results from deterioration of the macula in the retina that destroys central vision; and pterygium involves tissue growth on the eyeball. Wearing sunglasses that have UV protection can help protect against these conditions, keeping your eyes healthier, longer.

3. You’ll be able to see more and enjoy the view more than otherwise.

In addition to protecting your health, wearing sunglasses simply helps you see better in bright light. They cut down on glare and improve the colors and contrast of your view, so you can better take in your outdoor surroundings or drive more safely. Even on somewhat cloudy days, wearing sunglasses while driving can improve your vision and cut down on glare. If you’re out fishing instead of driving, you’ll also be able to see past the surface of water more easily without that bright, reflective glare.

4. Sunglasses will help protect your eyes if they are recovering from a procedure.

Corrective eye surgeries are common these days, including LASIK or cataract surgery. But it’s important you continue to wear sunglasses after the procedure to help your eyes heal. The sunglasses will help protect your eyes from damage and ensure your eyes heal smoothly and quickly.

5. You’ll be able to avoid headaches and migraines.

For many people who regularly get migraines or bad headaches, bright sunlight can be a major trigger. Wearing sunglasses allows you to soak up the sun without risking extreme pain and discomfort.

Whatever reason appeals most to you, the bottom line is that sunglasses make your eyes safer and keep you more comfortable in the outdoors. So make sure to get a pair of high quality sunglasses that block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays and wear them regularly.