When you give a thought to sunglasses, the first thing that comes to mind is likely fashion. While you are well aware that sunglasses serve a function, it may not be particularly clear why it is so important to wear sunglasses each time you head outdoors.
There are many reasons—important ones, too—why you should wear sunglasses every time that you head outside, and below, we will touch on why prescription sunglasses are the most effective way at maintaining your overall eye health.
High-energy visible (HEV) light, also known as blue light, is considered the light that is seen when we look at our devices, but it is also within the normal spectrum of visible light. If it was not, then we would be unable to see a “blue” sky. Colors are essentially light waves that bounce off of various objects and toward our eyes.
Blue light can have an adverse effect on your eye health and contributes to various eye health issues like macular degeneration. By wearing prescription sunglasses, you can block the HEV light and minimize your risk of developing these eye health issues.
You may spend a significant amount of time out in the sun due to the fact that you love being outside, work outside, or just enjoy being out on the open water. However, regardless of what you reasoning is, you are at an increased risk of developing cataracts. Roughly 20 percent of cataracts can be completely prevented by minimizing your eye’s continued exposure to the sun. Prescription sunglasses are able to block both Ultraviolet A and B (UVA and UVB) rays that can result in the development of cataracts.
If you have not been diagnosed with cataracts, then you can help prevent it from happening by wearing prescription sunglasses when outside.
Individuals who have currently been diagnosed with macular degeneration can likely minimize the effects of this condition and slow its overall progression by wearing the right eye protection. If you have not been diagnosed, then prescription sunglasses can help in the prevention of the disease.
There are some other vision concerns that can occur as a result of prolonged eye exposure, including the following:
Wearing prescription sunglasses can minimize the risk of these conditions developing.
When you squint so that you are able to see properly in the bright light, you are bunching up that delicate skin that is located around your eyes. Unfortunately, this can potentially result in the development of fine lines and wrinkles around this area. By wearing prescription sunglasses, you are not only protecting the health of your eyes, but you are also helping to maintain a far more youthful appearance overall.
Vehicles, power tools, and lawnmowers are just a few of the machines that moving quickly and can potentially throw debris like sticks and rocks at and into your eyes. Projectiles like these are not necessarily aimed right at your eyes, but do to the fact that your eyes are so vulnerable to damage, your eyes don’t stand a chance if the angle is just right.
Although serious damage from moving debris is generally less common than macular degeneration or cataracts, it is a consequence that can occur instantly by not wearing the proper eye protection.
You may actually like the way you look in your eyeglasses. Or maybe you are unable to or don’t wish to wear contact lenses. Whatever the case may be, you are unable to receive the same type of protection from UVA and UVB or HEV when you wear standard prescription eyeglasses. And if you attempt to wear a pair of sunglasses over your glasses, well, that’s just inconvenient and a bit awkward. You definitely aren’t going to win any fashion awards. However, with prescription sunglasses, you will get that needed protection when outside and make a fashion statement.
All sunglasses must have some level of UV protection, but some will offer more than others. Just because you have a pair of brand name sunglasses does not mean that you are getting that high level of protection from the sun that you need. The only way that you can be confident in the fact that you are receiving the protection you need is to purchase a pair of prescription sunglasses. Your eye doctor can help you in finding the right pair so that you can rest assured your eyesight remains healthy and strong.
Your eyes are needed in order to remain independent. Your eyes allow you to do things that you love. Your eyes are important organs, but they are also fragile organs. Prescription sunglasses can help to ensure these organs remains healthy and that your eyesight remains strong.
If you would like to learn more, contact us at Performance Vision.