Why wear sunglasses? - Eyecare Plus Ashgrove
By Durkin & Black Optometrists
Why wear sunglasses?

Why wear sunglasses?

Why wear sunglasses?

Why wear sunglasses?

Sunglasses aren’t just for fashion; they perform an important function in providing eye protection.  Sunnies protect against ultraviolet (UV) rays and blue light from the sun. Sunnies also reduce glare which stops you from squinting which can cause eye fatigue, headaches and even wrinkles. Read on to find out more about why you should wear sunglasses and how they can help with your eye health.

Conditions and sunglasses

With what conditions do sunglasses help?

Wearing good quality sunglasses, those with 100% UVA and UVB protection can help prevent or delay the onset of eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and pterygium.

A cataract is an opacity or clouding of the lens inside the eye, resulting in a distortion of light as it enters.  Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays is known to contribute to cataracts and wearing sunglasses with UV protection can slow the development of this condition. Some of the symptoms to look out for with cataracts is a gradual decrease in clear vision, hazy vision, increased sensitivity to glare or even double vision.

Similarly, glaucoma is another condition that can be exacerbated by damage to the eyes through exposure to UV light.  Unfortunately, often the symptoms aren’t apparent until the damage is done however, with regular eye examinations we can detect any changes early and help you manage the condition.

Macular degeneration, a condition where your central vision gradually degenerates over time, can be in part attributed to prolonged exposure to UV light.  There are quite a few symptoms to look out for such as having difficulty reading or distinguishing faces, needing increased light to see things, being sensitive to glare or having trouble seeing at night.  As with glaucoma, sometimes the changes are gradual, so regular eye checks will pick up changes early and allow for prompt treatment.

Pterygium, sometimes known as surfer’s eye, is a triangular growth of tissue on the white of the eye.  This condition is a result from long-term exposure to UV light, wind, glare or dust.  This condition can be corrected surgically but preventing a pterygium in the first place is even better.  A good pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV, wind and dust exposure offers the ultimate in preventative care.  Even if you already have a pterygium forming, sunglass wear can preventing it from worsening over time.

Other reasons to wear sunnies

Why else should I wear sunnies (besides sun protection)?

Sunnies aren’t just for hot summer days.  They are also recommended for those who spend a lot of time in the snow.  Snow reflects up to 80% of UV rays from the sun, which can lead to the eye conditions outlined above.  So, if you are planning a lot of time in the snow, skiing, snowboarding or climbing, a good pair of sunglasses offering full coverage of the eye is recommended. Specially to counteract the light reflecting from the snow below!

Being on the water creates similar issues for your eyes with harsh reflections from the sky above and the water below.  As with the snow, a pair of sunglasses with good coverage is a must if you are spending a lot of time on the water.

Sunglasses also offer great protection against wind and dust.  If you spend a lot of time outside in dusty or windy areas, then a pair of sunnies provides that extra layer of protection to keep nasty irritants out of your eyes.

What to look for in a pair of sunnies

What should I look for in a pair of sunnies?

There are a few must haves for a top-notch pair of sunglasses:

  • Comfort – Make sure the sunglasses are a great fit, sit nicely and comfortably, don’t fall off, pinch or irritate you in any way. You have to wear them a lot after all!
  • UV protection – look for glasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection to know that you have the best possible chance of keeping out those harsh UV rays.
  • Polarised lenses – polarised lenses reduce glare and are especially useful if you spend a lot of time on or near the water or have a sensitivity towards the light. Reducing glare can also mean that you are squinting less, which might help prevent headaches too.
  • Prescription sunglasses – Don’t forget that sunnies can also come with prescription lenses, so you can choose your frames and then we’ll fit lenses in your prescription to those frames.
Designer sunglasses

I’m looking after my eyes – but will I look good too?

Absolutely.  There’s no need to sacrifice your sense of style – you can have tip-top eye health AND designer sunnies of your choosing.  Here’s a taste of the sunglass brands we have on offer:

  • Tiffany & Co
  • Dior
  • Jimmy Choo
  • Kate Spade
  • Hugo Boss
  • Garret Leight California
  • Maui Jim
  • Zeal
  • Carrera
  • Polaroid

 

So with a hot summer just around the corner, now is the time to come and see us for an eye examination, and to check out our extensive range of designer sunglasses.

Ready to book an appointment?

Online bookings available or call us on (07) 3463 0349.

This website does not provide medical advice.  It is intended for informational purposes only.  It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment.  If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately dial Triple 0 (000).