Important Health Benefits of Quality Sunglasses

Although sunglasses are often regarded as merely a fashion statement, they provide important health benefits. Some of them might surprise you! 

Read on as our team here at Maryland Eye Care Center highlights some of the health benefits of wearing high-quality sunglasses. 

Reduced risk of cataracts and macular degeneration

Good sunglasses block the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, thus reducing your risk of eye issues made worse by the sun. These include:

• Macular degeneration, when central vision becomes blurry; a leading cause of blindness 
• Cataracts, when the lens becomes cloudy and affects vision

Sun exposure isn’t the only cause of these conditions, but excessive UV exposure can increase your risk of both. If you already have macular degeneration or cataracts, UV exposure can exacerbate the problem.

Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV radiation and, in turn, help reduce your risk of sun-related eye conditions. 

Protection from wind and debris

Wind and debris, such as dust, dirt, and sand, can irritate (or even scratch) your eyes. Sunglasses block the wind, keeping your eyes from feeling too dry. If you wear contact lenses, this added protection can help your lenses stay moist throughout the day. 

Wind can also contribute to surfer’s eye, or pterygium. Despite the name, this condition can affect anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors, especially more than five hours daily.

Eyedrops can treat a case of surfer's eye, but you can help avoid the condition altogether by wearing a good pair of sunglasses.

Protection against skin cancer

You might not think skin cancer affects the eyes, but the unfortunate truth is the delicate skin around your eyes is susceptible to skin cancer. 

Skin cancer that forms around your eyes, or periocular skin cancer, can take several forms, including basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. Because you have melanin cells in your iris, you can also develop cancerous lesions in the pigmented portion of your eye.

The good news is you can reduce your risk of developing these types of cancers by wearing sunglasses outside. 

Migraine prevention 

Bright lights are a common migraine trigger, and even if you don’t have migraines, squinting into the sun is enough to cause a headache for many people. Wearing sunglasses can help prevent squinting and light-related migraines. 

Make wearing sunglasses a habit 

Many people regard sunglasses as a summer accessory, but UV rays shine bright regardless of the season. Make a habit to wear your sunglasses year-round and especially when:

• You’re driving, especially at sunrise and sunset when the light can impact driving 
• You’re skiing, boating, or swimming ー snow and water can be quite bright
• You’re exercising outside
• You’re riding a motorcycle or bike, or doing anything where wind and debris are present
• You’re at any of our great Maryland beaches ー no more sand in your eyes! 

Sunglasses are essential for your eye health, but the key is to wear high-quality sunglasses that protect against all types of UV rays, fit comfortably, and are wide enough to block the wind. 

And if you need prescription sunglasses? We offer a variety of high-quality frames whether or not you need a prescription. Our team can conduct a thorough exam to determine your current prescription. 

Our popular brands of sunglasses include Burberry®, Coach, Columbia, Gucci, Ray-Ban, and Jimmy Choo.

Ready to treat yourself to a new pair of sunglasses? Call one of our offices in Hyattsville and Silver Spring, Maryland, to get started, or use our online booking tool to make an appointment.