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Home » What’s New » The Dangers of the Sun to Your Eyes – In the Winter

The Dangers of the Sun to Your Eyes – In the Winter


Winter has officially arrived, which means in some places stinging winds and cold rains and sometimes snow aren't far behind. You wouldn't ever contemplate of leaving the house without a jacket in icy conditions, however unfortunately, far too many people don't think to put on their sunglasses. Although many of us aren't thinking about the glaring sun during times that we are venturing out to the frigid cold, the sun is still a present danger in colder climates, and in certain circumstances can be even more powerful.


They didn't write a song called "winter wonderland" for nothing. Especially in the aftermath of a serious snow, the world around takes on a glistening glimmer thanks to the sunlight reflecting off of the snowy cover blanketing the earth. In fact, without sunglasses it can downright hurt your eyes when you first leave the house following a glistening snowfall. The UV exposure that most people are so vigilant in avoiding during the summertime may really be more dangerous in the wintertime since it bounces off the snow or ice, giving you a double dose of exposure. This is the reason a proper pair of sunglasses is a crucial part of your winter attire.


Although you want to look great in your sunglasses, the most important consideration when deciding upon a pair of sunglasses is checking that they provide adequate protection against UV. Make sure your sunglasses block 100 percent of UV light by looking for confirmation that they are labeled UV 400 (this means they block all light with wavelengths up to 400 nanometers, which includes both UVA and UVB rays.) The good news is proper protection for your eyes isn't necessarily expensive. Dozens of reasonably priced brands are made with full UV defense.


Another important factor in choosing sun wear is size. You want to make sure the lenses cover as much of the area around your eyes as possible. The more coverage you have, the less harmful radiation will be able to get past your sunglasses. Lenses that wrap around the temples will also stop radiation from sneaking in from the periphery.


Just as most people are aware that sunglasses are essential water gear since the water reflects UV radiation, this also applies to frozen water sources including ice and snow. Consequently it is equally critical to wear sunglasses when out in wintery conditions. Additionally UV radiation is more powerful at high elevations, so if you have plans to hit the slopes take this into consideration.


Be in the know about the risks of UV damage to your eyes throughout the year. Make your sunglasses a fixed part of your routine.