Sunglasses are not just a fashion statement but a necessary must during the day. I grew up in Puerto Rico for some part of my childhood. I remember people walking around without sunglasses, and their skin showed an enormous amount of sun damage. It is still that way. I believe that people in the Caribbean are accustomed to the sun and become desensitized. Unfortunately, there are so many things that can go wrong when you don’t protect your skin or even your eyes from the sun.
A decision not to wear sunglasses can result in damage to your eyes. Why are you walking around with no sunglasses? What is the worst that can happen? How about a cloudy lens (cataracts), maybe a triangular painless growth (pterygium), cornea damage (photokeratitis), center vision loss (macular degeneration), skin cancer, eye discomfort, or deep furrow wrinkles (crow’s feet)? Those crow’s feet are not welcome! As per Johns Hopkins Medicine, UVA rays can contribute to aging, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity in the skin, and an increase in cancer. UVB rays can lead to sunburn and most cases of skin cancer. Nowadays, there are advances in lens manufacturing technologies that provide excellent protection against damaging UVA/UVB rays and extra features.
Polarized lenses: Reduce glare, provide clarity, and comfort. These lenses provide optimal protection against UVA and UVB rays. The best ones for a fun day at the beach, in my opinion. I don’t leave my home without having my sunglasses on and sunscreen, of course. I own several pairs of sunglasses from my old days as an optician. I used to sell them and also fit people who needed their prescriptions to be customized. As far as I can remember, most of my customers loved the optics and ease of these lenses. These are particularly popular among golfers and surfers. It is one of the popular types of lenses for the outdoors.
Transitions or photochromic lenses: These lenses are excellent for indoor and outdoor use. The lenses darken when in contact with UV light. A great alternative if you need prescription sunglasses. My sister Evy is a fan of these lenses. She recently had her prescription made into these since she now uses progressive lenses. She is also in the eyecare field and I now get my eyewear advise from her. She enjoys the practicality of having one pair for the computer, reading and of course when leaving the house. It is a great alternative when you only want to have one pair of eyeglasses. These also provide excellent protection against the UV rays.
I want to emphasize the importance of caring for your sunglasses. There is nothing more disheartening than ending up with scratched lenses due to careless handling, which I’ve done many times. The best way to care for your sunglasses is proper cleaning. It also helps to have a microfiber cloth, which you can keep in the eyewear case when not in use. Also, gentle handling is a must, and avoid harsh chemicals. Protect your eyes at all costs and go out for a walk while waving at the sun!
