It's official! Winter is here, which means in some parts of the country biting winds and freezing rains and sometimes snow are also on their way. Most of us wouldn't ever conceive of leaving the house without a heavy sweater or coat in overcast conditions, however unfortunately, far too many people leave their sunglasses behind. Although the sun isn't always our primary consideration during times that we are battling the freezing winter climate, the sun is still a present danger in colder climates, and sometimes can be even stronger.
They didn't write a song called "winter wonderland" for nothing. Particularly in the aftermath of a blizzard, the blanket of snow covering the ground, trees and everything else in sight, actually intensifies the reflection of the sunlight. In fact, for many it can downright hurt your eyes when you first step outside following a glistening snowfall. The ultraviolet radiation that many people are so vigilant to avoid during the summer months may really be more dangerous in the wintertime due to the fact that it bounces off the snow or ice, resulting in a second exposure. This is the reason a good pair of sunglasses is a necessary part of your winter attire.
Even though you want to look great in your shades, the most important consideration when deciding upon a pair of sunglasses is making sure they provide adequate protection against UV. Ensure your sunglasses block 100 percent of UV light by looking for an indication that they block all light up to 400 nanometers - UV400. Don't worry, proper protection for your eyes isn't necessarily expensive. Many of the more affordable brands are made with complete protection.
Another important consideration in selecting sun wear is lens size. You want to make sure the lenses 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 penetrate. Glasses with side shield will also keep radiation from entering through the periphery.
Although it's much more commonly known these days that sunglasses are essential beach gear because the water intensifies the sun's rays, this also applies to wintery water as well. Therefore it is just as important to wear sunglasses when out skiing, ice skating or even taking a walk on a snowy day. Additionally ultraviolet exposure is more forceful at high altitudes, so if you have plans to hit the slopes take this into consideration.
It's important to be knowledgeable about proper eye protection all year round. Don't forget to wear your sunglasses.
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