Everyone knows sunglasses are cool, but what you may not know is that they can protect your vision. Sunglasses have been a fashion accessory for a very long time, but they can also block harmful rays from the sun.

Choosing the correct shades can help protect your vision, your face, and your wrinkles as you age. Excessive exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause permanent damage to your eye health.

As mentioned previously, the sun’s UV rays can cause irreversible damage to the cornea, eyelids, lens, and other areas of the eye. Certain studies even suggest that excessive UV radiation exposure increases the risk of developing macular degeneration, pterygium, and cataracts.

Not all sunglasses are the same, however. When choosing the right pair of sunglasses, you need to ensure that the ones you choose block the necessary amount of UV rays to protect your vision. Contrary to popular belief, the darkness of the lens does not have anything to do with the number of UV rays that are blocked. Here are some things you should be on the lookout for when picking out a new pair of sunglasses:

  • Labeled to block 99 – 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays
  • Screen 75 to 90 percent of visible light
  • Lenses are free from distortions and imperfections

Visit our optical shop to find high-quality sunglasses that will protect your vision from harmful UV rays.