You Need to Wear Shades in the Wintertime too!
It's official! Winter is here, which means in some locations bitter cold winds and frigid rains and sometimes snow are also on their way. You wouldn't ever conceive of leaving the house without a heavy sweater or coat in freezing weather; nevertheless unfortunately, many people leave their sunglasses behind. While the sun may not be our first concern when we are venturing out to the frigid cold, the sun's rays are still a present danger during the winter months, and in many instances can be even stronger.
On occasions that you find yourself snowed in, it is wise to be even more cautious. Particularly in the aftermath of a blizzard, the world around takes on a glistening glow as a result of the sun's rays reflecting off of the snowy cover blanketing the ground and the trees. In fact, it can downright hurt your eyes when you first leave the house after a heavy snow. The UV radiation that we are all so careful to avoid in the summer may really be more hazardous in the colder season because it bounces off the snow or ice, giving you a second exposure. This is why proper sunglasses are a necessary part of your winter attire.
Although it's important to pick a style you look good in, the most important part of deciding upon a pair of sunglasses is making sure they will properly do their job. Make sure they are 100% UV blocking by looking for an indication that they block all light up to 400 nanometers - UV400. The good news is proper protection for your eyes isn't necessarily expensive. Dozens of affordable brands are made with full UV defense.
Another important feature in selecting sun wear is frame size. You want to make sure your glasses cover as much of the area around your eyes as possible. The more coverage you have, the less harmful UV rays will be able to enter. Wrap around frames will also keep radiation from sneaking in from the sides.
Just as most people are aware that sunglasses are essential water gear since the water reflects ultraviolet radiation, this is also true for wintery water as well. Therefore it is equally important to wear sunglasses during times when you go out in wintery conditions. Additionally ultraviolet radiation is more powerful at greater altitudes such as mountain ski slopes.
Be informed about the risks of UV damage to your eyes all year round. Don't leave home without your shades.
