Sunglasses may be a fashion statement, but this eyewear also plays a practical and vital role in vision care. Whether you need prescription sunglasses or standard tinted lenses, this accessory should be part of your outdoor wardrobe in every season. Here are some reasons eye care professionals recommend all their patients wear protective lenses. 

The Benefits of Wearing Sunglasses

Protection From UV Damage

Just as UV rays burn and damage the skin, they can also impair your eye health. Prolonged exposure to bright rays can cause cataracts, detached retina, and pterygium. The latter condition, also called surfer’s eye, results in tissue growth over the whites of the eye, eventually causing damage to the cornea. In addition to leaving you susceptible to preventable eye conditions, sunlight causes you to squint, which can also lead to premature wrinkles around your eyes and forehead. 

Prevention of Other Vision Problems

Many vision patients with preexisting conditions are naturally sensitive to brightness and glare. For these individuals, polarized sunglasses add an extra level of comfort so they can drive a car safely, work outdoors, and participate in sports with decreased sensitivity to light. 

Better still, wearing sunglasses prevents damage to your macula lutea. This part of the eye, which contains millions of light-sensing cells, is what gives your vision detail. With on-going exposure to bright sunlight, this area becomes damaged, resulting in blurred vision or vision loss.

Keep your eyes protected this summer with a new pair of sunglasses from Optics Eyewear. This vision care center, serving the High Point, NC, area, offers a wide selection of fashionable and functional prescription sunglasses. Voted the best eyewear shop in the Southeast Triad last year, this family-owned and -operated business has provided friendly service and an enduring commitment to comprehensive vision care for more than 50 years. To schedule an eye exam, call them today at (336) 884-5677. For more information on the brands they carry, visit their website or like them on Facebook.