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How to Find the Perfect Pair of Sunglasses

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Summer is supposed to be a time for fun in the sun, so don’t let your sunglasses hold you back. Most people are naturally concerned with their skin during the summer, but your eyes are equally important. There are many preventative measures to keep your eyes healthy, but the most protection you can get for your eyes is sunglasses. Here’s your guide to the perfect pair of sunglasses.

Polarization

When looking for a pair of sunglasses, check if the pair you are looking at is polarized. Polarized sunglasses have an extra layer of protection that blocks glare and reflections that non-polarized sunglasses don’t. Polarization helps reduce damage to your eyes by minimizing the amount of UV light that gets to your eyes from reflections and glares. Polarized sunglasses are a must if you consider a day at the pool, lake, or even in the mountains.

Fit

Your summer sunglasses aren’t only a health factor and a fashion statement. Your sunglasses should sit comfortably on your face. The width of the frame of the sunglasses should match the width of your face. For normal-sized sunglasses, someone looking eye to eye with you should be able to see your eyebrows. Additionally, the sunglasses should rest comfortably behind your ears. Make sure to try them on before you purchase them because there is nothing worse than uncomfortable sunglasses.

Quality

There are many different brands of sunglasses out there, so it is important to find a high-quality pair that will last a long time. Most quality sunglasses will be polarized, so be sure to check any markings on the sunglasses. Additionally, most lenses are either glass or plastic. While plastic options are typically more affordable, glass lenses will usually last longer and be more resistant to the elements while giving clearer vision.

Transitions

If you’re fed up with contact lenses or switching two sets of glasses every time you walk outside, then transition lenses may be a vision solution for you. These would be your regular glasses but would transition into sunglasses in bright direct sunlight.

Keep your eyes safe this summer!

By Eye Safety, Sunglasses No Comments

Summer Eye Safety

Here at Drs. Gibson, Gibson & Moore, we want to help you keep your eyes safe and make sure you know why it’s important to keep them safe. Summer is when most people like to spend time outdoors doing fun activities to cool off, so this season make sure to think about the protection of your eyes. The UV rays not protected by the ozone layer are called UV-A and UV-B. UV-A can affect your overall vision since it harms the macula, which is located at the back of your eye and is your central vision. UV-B affects the cornea and lens of your eye, which can in turn, be more harmful than UV-A.

In a short amount of time, if one’s eyes are exposed to too much of the sun’s UV rays, one can develop a “sunburn” on their eyes called photokeratitis. This is a temporary condition and symptoms include the feeling of something stuck in your eye, red eyes and extreme sensitivity to light. Over time, too much exposure to the sun’s UV rays can be harmful and lead to cataracts or macular degeneration. Cataracts creates cloudy vision and can continue to increase poor vision over time. Macular degeneration is a condition that can lead to blindness when you are older and affects more men than women. It’s one of the leading causes for vision loss, which is why sunglasses are so important to your eye safety.

It’s pretty easy to protect your eyes from these harmful rays. Make sure when you buy a new pair of sunglasses that they provide protection against UV-A and UV-B rays. They are usually labeled as UV400 or 100 percent UV protection. For added protection, during a long day at the beach or on a boat ride at a lake, wear a hat. Don’t forget about the kids either! If their sunglasses fall off their face constantly while playing on the beach or doing fun activities outdoors to cool off, try getting goggles. They will stay on and your kids will be protected from the sun, sand and everything else. Even if it’s cloudy out, it doesn’t protect you from UV rays.

Have a fun a safe summer from all of us here at Drs. Gibson, Gibson & Moore! Don’t forget to visit us for all your Lubbock eye care needs.