Sunglasses are not only for the summer! The sun’s rays are just as damaging to your eyes in the winter. Snow makes it even worse. Almost 80 percent of the sun’s rays get reflected back to your eyes by the snow. The right sunglass lenses will protect your eyes and lower your chances of getting cataracts, macular degeneration, cornea sunburn, reduced vision from snow glare, snow blindness, and dry eyes.
These sunglass lenses are especially good when there is snow on the ground:
Yellow lenses — Yellow and other light-colored lenses, including gold, rose, and amber, are excellent for wearing in the snow. They are a top choice of skiers, snowboarders, and people who enjoy other winter sports. Their advantages include better visibility on the ski slopes and in other snowy places.
Yellow and amber lenses block blue light. They increase contrast and make the things you see look brighter and sharper. This may not be good for driving on a bright day, but it is ideal for sports or walking in the snow on overcast days or when the light is flat or at a low-to-medium level of brightness.
UV Protection — Lenses worn in the snow should protect you from harmful ultraviolet rays. Lenses should provide at least 99 percent UV protection. Only buy lenses that have information about their level of UV protection printed on a tag or sticker attached to the sunglasses.
Glacier glasses — These special sunglasses often have wrap-around lenses that protect your eyes from light that bounces off the snow and hits the side of your face.
If you need prescription sunglasses, we invite you to come to Riverdale Vision Care in Riverdale, New Jersey, for a comprehensive eye examination. In addition to determining your prescription for your sunglasses, we will also assess the health of your eyes and look for early signs of any problems. Call us at (973) 248-0060 for an appointment.
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