Myths About Sunglasses

You want to protect your eyes, but you may not be taking all of the necessary precautions to do that. There are many myths surrounding sunglasses that you should know before buying sunglasses and ensuring you are offering maximum protection for your eyes.

• Myth #1. Expensive sunglasses protect your eyes.
• Myth #2. You don’t have to wear sunglasses if it’s overcast outside.

Expensive sunglasses are great when you want to make a fabulous first impression or if you want high quality frames. Expensive sunglasses may not always warrant the high price tag, but they are usually made of high quality plastic or metal with strong hardware that prevents them from breaking as easily as lower quality frames. This doesn’t mean the protection for your eyes is automatically built in. Look for specific information on the tag or paperwork that accompanies your sunglasses for UV protection.

UV protection blocks UVA/UVB rays from filtering through. This is not required by law on all sunglasses. While many high end sunglasses do have this protection, it is not mandatory which is why you want to do your homework before you buy.

Many people think you don’t have to wear sunglasses because you aren’t outside. Numerous studies have shown that UVA/UVB rays can still affect the eyes on a very cloudy day. The sun’s rays are extremely powerful and pass through the clouds, which means exposure to the sun is still a threat. Protect your eyes by making sunglasses apart of your daily routine when spending time in the sun.