With the weather warming up in the NYC area, you may find yourself enjoying the scenery in Central Park, walking the Highline, or taking part in various other fun events to do in the city this Spring season. We love to soak up those rays and boost our Vitamin D intake, but it is important to maintain eye safety measures when heading out into the sunshine.
Why?
Rays from the sun may leave you with long-term damage to your eyes, from UVA and UVB rays to HEV light, if you are not properly protected. There are many precautions you may take to avoid exposure to these harmful rays.
How does the sun damage my eyes?
The sun’s rays may cause various types of eye conditions. To name a few:
- Cancer of the eyelid
- Cataracts
- Macular Degeneration
- Corneal Sunburn
Long-term effects of such conditions include vision loss blurred vision, change in color of the pupil, eye discomfort, and more.
How do I avoid such sun damage to my eyes?
When exposed to the sun, be sure to do your due diligence and wear lenses that protect you from the rays by reflecting the sun from your eyes. Sunglasses come in many shades, and should be worn in all seasons, not just on those sunny days in the summer season. Skiers, snowboarders, and people that participate in winter sports also depend on sunwear to protect their eyes from these harmful rays, as the sun is reflected off of snow as well.
When purchasing sunwear, you will often have the option to choose between Polarized and Non-Polarized lenses, and depending on your use, either could be the right fit for you. Other ways to avoid sun exposure to your eyes is to wear a hat when outside, seek shade, and wear sunscreen on your face to reflect rays from your surrounding eye area as well.
Have fun in the sun this season, but be sure to remember these best practices to ensure your eyes are safe in the sun!
