A sunny day at the beach, a nice stroll on a bright winter day, and spending time in the garden are wonderful seasonal ways to enjoy our time. But when the sun’s out and shining, your eyes can be harmed if you don’t properly protect them. Don’t put your eyes at risk; it’s essential that you take care of your eyes. That’s why our team at Total Vision La Mesa made this list to explain why protecting your eyes is so important.
10 reasons to protect your eyes from sun damage include:
- Avoiding temporary discomfort
- Lowering your risk of sun cancer
- Slowing age around the eyes
- Avoiding snow blindness
- Reducing eye strain
- Preventing cataracts
- Reducing the risk of AMD
- Preventing pterygium
- Preserving your color vision
- They’re a stylish addition to any outfit
Avoiding Temporary Discomfort
You’ve likely noticed that when you’re out in the bright sun, it isn’t the most comfortable sensation in the world. You need to squint, cover your eyes, or avoid being out in the brightness for too long.
This isn’t just a minor inconvenience; it can be a big distraction from your day. As simple as it is, temporary discomfort isn’t something you need to deal with whenever you want to spend some time outdoors. Instead, grab a stylish pair of sunglasses and avoid that annoying feeling of needing to squint or hide your eyes whenever you’re out and about.
Lower Risk of Skin Cancer
The sun’s UV rays are a crucial part of life on Earth, but that doesn’t make them harmless. Extended sun exposure can lead to an increased risk of certain cancers developing—and the eyes are no exception.
Your eyelid skin is extremely thin. You understand if you’ve ever looked toward a bright light when your eyes are closed. The eyelids don’t block 100% of the light from reaching the eye. By covering your eyes when you’re outside, you can lower your risk of developing:
- Basal cell carcinoma: This often appears on the lower eyelids
- Squamous cell carcinoma: This can affect the entire eye area
- Melanoma: This is the most serious type of skin cancer that can develop on the eyelids and around the eyes
Slowing Age Around the Eyes
Wrinkles and fine lines are a natural part of aging. When they develop excessively around the eyes, it’s often a sign of too much sun exposure. When you’re protecting your eyes with sunglasses, you aren’t just protecting your visual system from potential problems—you can reduce how many fine age lines develop around the eyes.
Avoiding Snow Blindness
No matter whether you’re skiing down a slope or just popping out to the park on a bright day, the sun reflecting off snow and ice can cause something called “photokeratitis,” more commonly referred to as “snow blindness” or “eye sunburn.”
This painful condition is temporary and won’t typically cause permanent damage to your sight. However, it can be a nuisance. By throwing on some shades, you can avoid the discomfort of overexposure to bright reflections and still experience all the joys of a sunny day outside.
Reducing Eye Strain
When exposed to bright lights, your eyes have to work harder. But they’re an extremely sensitive part of your body, so when they work harder, they tire faster.
This is called “eye strain” and can be caused by anything that makes your eyes overwork themselves. It can be recognizable by:
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Sore or irritated eyes
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Difficulty concentrating
Preventing Cataracts
Cataracts, the clouding of the eye’s normally clear natural lens, are one of the leading causes of blindness. They can develop due to extended time spent in the sun throughout your life.
While cataracts can likely be fixed with a simple surgery, you can lower your risk of developing this condition by reducing exposure to UV rays or properly protecting your eyes when outside.
Reducing the Risk of AMD
Age-related macular degeneration, often called AMD, affects the part of your retina responsible for clear central vision. When this condition develops, you can eventually lose your central vision, which can significantly impact your everyday life and independence.
It’s believed that UV exposure can worsen this condition, so it’s essential to guard against this with a pair of sunglasses.
Preventing Pterygium
A pterygium is a growth of fleshy tissue that can appear on the conjunctiva, the clear tissue covering the eye’s white part. It’s often associated with prolonged exposure to UV light.
While generally benign, pterygium can cause discomfort, visible redness, irritation, and more. If left untreated, it may affect vision by slowly creeping toward the cornea.
Preserving Your Color Vision
Over time, UV rays can damage many different parts of the eye. Prolonged exposure may affect your color perception over time by increasing your risk of certain eye conditions. Conditions like cataracts, tumors, AMD, or more can eventually limit your ability to see colors clearly. Colors may become duller or appear differently than they once did when your eyes were healthy.
Protecting your eyes can help preserve the vibrant colors of the world around you.
A Stylish Addition to Every Outfit
Protecting your eyes doesn’t have to be purely functional. A great pair of sunglasses can complement your style and be the perfect accessory for any outdoor outfit. So why compromise your vision when you can reap all of these benefits?
How to Protect Your Eyes from Sun Damage
Now that you know the importance of protecting your eyes from sun damage, visit our team at Total Vision La Mesa—or check out our online store! We’re here to help you select the perfect pair of sunglasses. Take the first step in safeguarding your vision today and book an appointment with us.
