Sunglasses play a large part in our modern fashion culture; many a movie star has graced the red carpet looking suave in a pair of shades. But beyond being the ultimate fashion accessory, sunglasses also play a critical role in our health and safety. Sunglasses are just as vital as sunscreen when spending prolonged periods of time outside.

Glare Reduction

The reflection of light puts great strain on our eyesight. Surfaces like snow and water can be extremely bright and as a result, extremely dangerous. Bright sunlight has been the cause of countless accidents when driving or when playing sports. These accidents could have been averted if the individual had been wearing sunglasses.

Polarized lenses are particularly effective at blocking out the harsh glare of the sun. These sunglasses have been popular for a longtime with the boating and fishing communities, reducing the reflective glare from the water. In fact all outdoor enthusiasts can benefit from wearing them. Post-cataract patients and light-sensitive people wear polarized sunglasses as well, to soften the bright light indoors.

Eye Safety

Dust and debris caught in the eye can lead to corneal abrasion. Wind can cause contact lenses to dry out and tears to evaporate, making the eyes dry and uncomfortable. All of these problems can be avoided by wearing sunglasses. Polycarbonate lenses are seen as the most durable and safest lenses to wear. They are less likely to break or fracture and are much safer than weak plastic lenses. If you are in a situation where you are exposed to windblown particles, wraparound polycarbonate sunglasses are recommended.

Ultraviolet Protection

Most people are aware of the impact that ultraviolet rays have on the skin, but few are aware of the damage they can have on the eyes. Radiation from ultraviolet rays can speed up the development of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is a disease that destroys the sharpness of vision. It is a painless disease, so most people are unaware of the damage they are doing. AMD is the leading cause of loss of vision in people 60 years of age or older.

Wearing sunglasses protects you from these harmful ultraviolet rays. Be sure to check that the sunglasses you are buying offer satisfactory UV protection. A quality pair will give you 100% protection from UV radiation. Many people are using polycarbonate lenses because they are a natural filter to UV and need no additional coating.

Headaches and Eyestrain

The pupil of the eye controls how much light reaches the retina. In dark conditions, the pupil will increase in size to let more light in, and in bright conditions it will constrict to block out the excess light.

Continual exposure to bright light causes squinting because the pupil cannot constrict far enough to reduce the amount of light. This causes muscle fatigue and as a result headaches and eyestrain. By simply wearing sunglasses, the pupils can relax and squinting will be reduced, avoiding discomfort.

Conclusion

As you can see, sunglasses are both fashionable and practical. Wearing a pair can increase your comfort, your style and most of all, your safety.

Author Bio: Matrixeyewear.com has been selling Matrix Sunglasses from The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, and The Matrix Revolutions since 2003. To date, Matrix Eyewear has sold over 6,000 pairs of sunglasses including Neo glasses, Agent Smith Sunglasses, Morpheus Sunglasses, and more, making it the most trusted source for these items anywhere around the world.

Category: Advice
Keywords: sunglasses