Sunglasses in Winter

6 Benefits of Wearing Sunglasses in Winter

Did you know that the sun can irreversibly harm your eyes and cause life-long issues? UV Rays can burn or inflame your cornea, encourage the formation of cataracts, and impair your vision in other hazardous ways. 

The bottom line is that your eyes are sensitive, and you should prioritize taking care of them year-round- that includes wearing sunglasses in winter when the sun exposure doesn’t seem that intense. Taking care of your eyes is essential, and you can start today by simply making it a habit to wear a pair of good-quality sunglasses every day.  

The weather doesn’t have to be warm for you to make your eye health a priority! Read on to learn about why you should be wearing sunglasses in winter. 

1. UV Threatens Your Eyes Year-Round

Although the earth’s position can block a percentage of its UV rays during the winter months, the exposure is still there, and it is still dangerous. Exposing your eyes to sunlight without protection can increase the risk of getting severe eye illnesses like macular degeneration, some types of eye cancer, and cataracts.  

The sun can damage your eyes and skin year-round if you don’t take proper precautions. During winter, there are more reflecting surfaces (ice, snow, etc.) which can significantly increase your chances of being harmed by UVB rays. So, even though winter is not associated with beach days and warm temperatures, you should still make it a priority to wear a pair of protective eyewear to be safe.   

2. Protect Your Eyes From the Environment

Besides the sun itself, winter presents many environmental factors that can affect the health of your eyes. If there is wind, snow, or rain, you have a higher chance of getting particles into your eyes and damaging them. Wearing sunglasses can protect your eyes from these particles and debris, which can be harmful to the health of your eyes and the skin around them. 

Anything flying into your eyes can damage your corneas, cause infections, or irritate your eyes and make you uncomfortable.

In addition, the colder weather during winter can dry out your eyes and cause discomfort. Sunglasses can serve as a shield from wind, which can help reduce dryness and make you feel more comfortable while outdoors during a chilly winter day.    

3. Sunglasses Make Driving Safer

Your car’s windshield does not offer enough UV protection, which, as you now know, is incredibly important for maintaining eye health. You should be wearing sunglasses while driving every time you sit behind the wheel, including on winter days when there might not seem like it is very bright and shiny outdoors.  

Exposure to the sun in the car is always dangerous, as it is very uncomfortable and can immediately cause vision impairments and prevent you from driving safely. However, these concerns amplify during the winter because some surfaces (like snow) can reflect sunlight more intensely and make it even harder to see. So, even if the sun is not overwhelmingly present, winter-related reflective surfaces can make it feel more intense. 

4. Protect Eyelids and Undereye Area

Although sunglasses are crucial for protecting the eye itself, they also play a significant role in protecting the skin around them- which can often be overlooked. The skin around the eyes is so sensitive that around 5-10% of skin cancers concentrate in that area. 

Furthermore, wearing sunglasses can also help avoid premature aging signs around your eyes. Because this skin is so thin and sensitive, squinting while outdoors due to the sun can cause you to develop wrinkles. 

Wearing good-quality sunglasses that also protect the skin around your eyes is a good way of avoiding these situations. 

5. Avoid Headaches 

Besides premature aging, squinting due to sun exposure can also cause tension and lead to massive headaches. Migraines and headaches can also occur if you are generally sensitive to light.  Because sunglasses protect your eyes from visual stresses and fatigue, wearing them year-round will make you feel more comfortable. 

You’ll be able to enjoy all of your fun winter activities without having to worry about damaging your eyes or feeling sick with a headache due to sun exposure. 

6. Prevent Snow Blindness 

Snow is one of the most reflective surfaces out there, and being near it can cause many problems for your eyesight. Not wearing sunglasses near or on snow can lead to photokeratitis, which is often referred to as “snow blindness.” 

Snow blindness occurs due to the reflection of UV light on snow. In some cases, “snow blindness” can also refer to severe dryness or even the freezing of the cornea. 

It is a highly uncomfortable condition that can cause blurriness, pain, redness, tearing, amongst other symptoms. Although snow blindness can go away on its own, it is incredibly uncomfortable, and you should want to avoid it altogether. 

Wearing a pair of sunglasses while participating in winter activities involving snow is crucial to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and avoid the discomfort of this condition. 

Wear Your Favorite Sunglasses in Winter 

As you now know, wearing sunglasses in winter is incredibly important. This trendy accessory can help you protect the health of your eyes and the skin around them. The right pair of sunglasses will shield your eyes from harmful UV lights, environmental hazards and will help you prevent other significant issues. 

The health of your eyes is incredibly important. So, if you are within the 5-mile radius of Southwest Freeway Houston, Texas, contact us today to see how we can help you with all your eye-related concerns. 

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