Here Are 3 Ways To Protect Your Eyes From Harmful UV Rays

Most people are well aware that UV rays and eyes should be kept apart as much as possible. After all, eye damage from UV rays can result in a variety of eye conditions, including pinguecula, pterygium, cataract, cancers of the eyelid and age-related macular degeneration. To help you prevent such problems, here are three approaches to sun safety that will help you take better care of your eyes and shield them from further damage.

Invest In High-Quality Shades

Wearing sunglasses is an obvious best practice, but it’s worth repeating anyway. There are still many people who don’t wear shades as often as they should, or wear the wrong type. Make sure you invest in sunglasses with 100% UV protection. Polarization is also ideal, if you can afford it. Want to make sure you get maximum protection and style? Check out Horizon Optical (we even have a virtual try-on feature)!

Put On A Hat

Hats are a commonly overlooked, but greatly beneficial, way to reduce the eyes’ exposure to the sun. Whenever you’ll be outdoors for prolonged periods, it’s best to wear a hat with a wide brim that’s also made from material with SPF protection. If you don’t have something on hand with such material, a hat with a wide brim will still help shield your eyes. But make sure to keep wearing your sunglasses; hats are not a replacement for eye protection.

Don’t Underestimate Clouds

Many people mistakenly believe that their eyes won’t be damaged by UV rays on cloudy days, but this isn’t true. UV rays can - and do - still make their mark even when clouds are present. To figure out how strong rays are on a given day, look up your local weather forecast for the UV index, which captures UV intensity. Otherwise, keep in mind that the sun’s rays are typically at their fiercest between 10 AM and 4 PM daily. When in doubt, limit your exposure during that range.

Want to learn more about preventing eye damage from UV rays, or to schedule an exam? Call us today!