September 9, 2022

Should You Wear Sunglasses Year-Round?

Is it important for eye health to wear sunglasses throughout the year or just in the summertime months when we tend to stay outside for longer periods of time? Experts recommend that you wear UV blocking sunglasses, like Maui Jim polarized sunglasses, whenever you’re spending time outdoors. Even on cloudy days in the winter, ultraviolet radiation can still reach your eyes with enough intensity to cause damage. In addition to protecting you from UV exposure, polarized sunglasses will also eliminate glare from snow-covered surfaces or other cars on the road, and can keep your eyes from drying out due to that dry winter air.

Learn how UV rays can damage your eyes, and how the right sunglasses can help keep you safe, all year round.

UV Rays are Always a Threat

Ultraviolet rays are always present in sunlight, even when the temperatures outside plunge below freezing. In fact, there might be more UV radiation on sunny winter days than on your average summer day, since the Earth is slightly closer to the sun during winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Reflections off of a snowy landscape can even have an amplifying effect on UV radiation. While clouds may block out some wavelengths of light, up to 80% of UV rays still sneak through. You might not associate sun damage with dreary winter weather, but if you’re outside for long periods of time, it definitely can happen.

How UV Rays Can Damage Your Eyes

With wavelengths slightly shorter than the visible spectrum, UV light is powerful enough to cause organic tissue to break down. UV rays can cause damage to your retina, cornea, and lens. Over time, this can lead to macular degeneration and cataracts.

UV rays can also kill or damage skin, which can lead to painful sunburn, or even more serious health issues, like skin cancer. UV blocking sunglasses can protect the skin around the eyes, an area that’s difficult to properly protect with sunscreen.

All Maui Jim sunglasses carry the seal of recommendation by The Skin Cancer Foundation as an effective UV filter for the eyes and surrounding skin.

Choose Sunglasses That Block UV Radiation and Surface Glare

Choose sunglasses that protect your eyes, keep your vision sharp, and help you enjoy the outdoors, from the blazing heat of summer to the snowy chill of winter. Maui Jim offers groundbreaking PolarizedPlus2® optic technology that blocks 100% of UV rays, blocks glare, and provides the best visual clarity, contrast, and the truest colors of any lenses on the market. Our sunglasses are designed to do justice to the lush tropical surroundings we call home. Born under the Hawaiian sun, Maui Jim sunglasses with polarized lenses will help you get the most out of your outdoor experiences, all year round.