Sunglasses – not just for summer!

If you’re putting your sunglasses away for the winter, you need to stop right there! We often don’t associate the colder months with sunshine and UV, but don’t be fooled – on bright days UV rays can penetrate your eyes equally as much as in summer.

UV rays and your eyes

The sun emits UV rays that can damage our skin and eyes. UV rays can be at their most dangerous in winter, as snow reflects 80% of the sun’s rays straight into your eyes.

The effect of UV on the eyes builds up gradually over time. UV damage due to prolonged exposure without protection can lead to serious eye problems as you age, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and cancer on the delicate skin around your eye.

UV rays can do short-term damage to the eyes as well. Snow blindness, or to call it by its proper name, photokeratitis, is sunburn of the cornea – which is the transparent surface of your eye – and can be very painful, just like sunburnt skin. This is why UV protection sunglasses or ski goggles are particularly important if you’re spending time on the slopes or generally in a snowy environment.

Protecting your eyes

The best sunglasses for eye protection are those that give you full UV protection. Not all sunglasses provide this, so it’s always worth going to an authorised retailer with the optical expertise to help you invest in a good quality pair for the sake of your vision.

Sunglasses that are bought without a UV filter essentially just have dark lenses, which simply cause your pupils to widen to let more light in so you can see properly, thus allowing more UV to enter your eyes – quite the opposite of what UV protection sunglasses do!

Find the best sunglasses for eye protection

We stock an extensive range of high-quality sunglasses at our opticians in Corbridge, including designer brands such as Ray-Ban, Prada, Tom Ford, and Tom Davies.

We also stock some of the best polarised sunglasses from the world-renowned Maui Jim and Serengeti, which eliminate bright glare as well as providing 100% UV protection.

If you’re planning to go skiing or snowboarding, we can fit you with specialist sports eyewear too from brands including Bollé so you can benefit from the ultimate UV protection that will also help boost your performance.

Our experienced team is always happy to help you pick out sunglasses that are right for your look and lifestyle and most importantly, help you to protect your eyes during all seasons for years to come! Contact us to arrange a frame styling consultation so we can find you the perfect shades for UV protection today.