The Dangers of the Sun to Your Eyes - In the Winter

It's official! Winter is here, which means in some areas stinging winds and frigid precipitation are also in the forecast. Most of us would never even conceive of leaving the house without a jacket in icy weather; nevertheless unfortunately, many people leave their sunglasses at home. Although many of us don't think about the glaring sun during times that we are battling the bitter cold, the sun is still a present danger during the winter months, and in many instances can be even more powerful.

For times when you frequent an area with snow, it is wise to be extra cautious. Particularly in the aftermath of a snow storm, the blanket of snow covering the world around you, actually magnifies the reflection of the sunlight. In fact, without sunglasses it can downright hurt your eyes when you first step outdoors following a glistening snow. The UV exposure that many of us are so careful about during the summertime can really be more dangerous in the wintertime because it bounces off the snow or ice, giving you double exposure. This is why good sunglasses are an essential winter accessory.

Even though it's important to feel great in your sunglasses, the most important consideration when choosing sunglasses is being certain they provide adequate protection against UV. Make sure the lenses are 100% UV blocking by looking for an indication that they block all light up to 400 nanometers - UV400. The good news is you don't necessarily have to pay more to guarantee complete coverage for your eyes. Dozens of inexpensive brands are made with full ultraviolet protection.

Another important factor in selecting sun wear is frame size. You want to make sure your glasses are large enough to totally guard your eyes and the surrounding areas. The more coverage you have, the less harmful UV rays will be able to penetrate. Glasses with side shield will also keep UV waves from entering through the periphery.

If you like to ski or frolic in the snowy hills, you should know that the sun's radiation is stronger at higher altitudes, so you need to be especially careful to guard yourself on the ski slope. Another way to add extra protection is add on a wide brimmed hat that covers your eyes.

This wintertime, stay warm and stay protected! Don't forget to wear your shades.