Why You Should Get Prescription Sunglasses
8 Benefits of Wearing Prescription Sunglasses
Once summer hits, the sunglasses come out. Summer months bring warmer weather, sunny skies and some of our favorite outdoor activities. For glasses and even contact lens wearers, now is the time to invest in a pair of quality prescription sunglasses. Prescription sunglasses are more than a stylish summer accessory. Quality sunglasses block damaging UVA/UVB rays that can cause uncomfortable squinting and even serious eye conditions. Our Visionworks team is here to help you prepare for the bright summer season ahead. We explain the benefits of sunglasses and why you should invest in prescription sunglasses rather than a cheap pair from the beach surf shop.
Sunglasses Are more than a Summer Accessory
Before you set out for the beach, pool, or park, make sure to put on a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from damaging rays and uncomfortable glare from the sun. We all know the importance of wearing sunscreen to protect our skin from burning. The same concept is true for our eyes as well.
Sunglasses Block Damaging Light Rays and Glare
Sunglasses with full-spectrum UV protection protect your eyes from high-energy visible light rays that can burn not only the skin around your eyes but also the inside of your eye! Like sunscreen, high-quality prescription sunglasses work to block damaging UVA/UVB rays and protect your eyes from harm. Plus, sunglasses help reduce glare, making it easier to see outside and participate in all the fun activities summer has to offer.
Sunglasses Reduce the Chance of Eye Disease
Just like your skin, your eyes can get sunburned from too much exposure to harmful UVA/UVB rays. Sunburned eyes, or photokeratitis, can result in symptoms including redness, blurry vision, and eye pain and even lead to eye disease down the road. Sunglasses help reduce the chance of photokeratitis and developing eye diseases like cataracts, the clouding of the eye’s lens, and macular degeneration, the deterioration of the retina. According to the National Eye Institute, around 20% of cataract cases can be prevented by reducing the eyes’ exposure to the sun. Prescription sunglasses with 100% UV protection are the best way to ensure your eyes’ protection outdoors. Protecting the eye’s light-sensitive retina with sunglasses can also help reduce the risk of macular degeneration.
Sunglasses Decrease Signs of Aging
We all know that sun exposure can lead to wrinkles, sunspots, and other signs of aging, which is why it is essential to wear sunscreen to protect our skin. However, sunscreen cannot be applied to the sensitive skin around our eyes, because it causes irritation. Sunglasses are the perfect solution for protecting the skin around your eyes and reducing sun damage that can lead to crow’s feet, dark spots and even eyelid cancer.
Sunglasses Protect Your Eyes from Allergens and Debris
The spring and summer months bring an onset of allergies from pollen, dust and debris, leading to itchy, watery and uncomfortable eyes. While sunglasses work to protect your eyes from damaging rays, they also act as a shield to reduce allergen exposure. If you find that your contacts are always uncomfortable during allergy season, it may be time to take a break and give your eyes the protection they need from a pair of prescription sunglasses.
Not All Sunglasses Are Created Equal
When shopping for sunglasses, it is important to know that not all sunglasses are created equal—they don’t provide the same level of protection. In fact, it may surprise you to know that some cheaper pairs of sunglasses can actually cause more sun damage to the eyes! Prescription sunglasses are the best way to ensure that you receive top-quality sun protection and get a pair of sunglasses that works best for your needs.
Prescription Sunglasses Ensure High-Quality Vision Protection
It may be tempting to pick up a pair of cheap sunglasses at the corner store before your family beach trip, but be careful. Not all sunglasses offer the proper UVA/UVB protection needed to safeguard your eyes from damaging rays. In fact, dark lenses without UV protection actually dilate the eyes and allow more high-energy light rays to enter! Not only can this cause discomfort, but it could also lead to eye diseases like cataracts. To ensure full-spectrum protection, buy prescription sunglasses from a reputable source. All Visionworks sunglasses offer complete UVA/UVB protection to keep your eyes shielded from the sun.
Prescription Sunglasses Can Be Customized to Your Needs
Unlike sunglasses bought off the rack, prescription sunglasses can be customized to fit your unique needs. Visionworks offers lens options including:
- Elite Non-glare coatings to reduce reflections by 90% and offer 10x more scratch resistance
- Polarized lenses to eliminate glare and offer superior color contrast
- SunSync light-reactive lenses to seamlessly adjust to any light
- Polycarbonate lenses to stand up to an active lifestyle
Contact Lenses Can Lead to Light Sensitivities
During the summer months, it is easy to fall into bad contact lens habits, such as overwearing your contact lenses and wearing your contacts in the pool or at the beach, leading to keratitis. Keratitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the cornea (the eye’s surface), causing red-eye, irritation and light sensitivity. It is often associated with contact lens abrasion or exposing the eye to bacteria, which can happen when you swim in your contact lenses. During the summer months, give your eyes a break and stay protected by swapping out your contact lenses for a pair of prescription sunglasses.
Prescription Sunglasses Provide Clear and Protected Vision
One of the biggest advantages of prescription sunglasses is that they provide clear and protected vision when spending time outdoors. Don’t compromise by wearing a pair of regular sunglasses over your prescription glasses or forgoing sunglasses altogether. Trying to stack sunglasses over your regular glasses is uncomfortable and can possibly even damage your lenses! Always make sure to have a pair of prescription sunglasses on hand to ensure your eyes are protected and healthy for many summers to come!
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Information received through Visionworks® content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Claims regarding blue light efficiency are supported by manufacturer-provided test results.
