It's official! Winter is here, which means in some locations biting winds and frigid rain, snow and sleet aren't far behind. Most of us would never even contemplate of leaving the house without a heavy sweater or coat in freezing weather, however unfortunately, far too many people don't think to put on their sunglasses. Although the sun isn't always our first concern during times that we are venturing out to the freezing winter climate, the sun is still a present danger in colder climates, and in many instances can be even more powerful.
For times when you live in or plan to visit a location with snow, you should be extra cautious. Especially in the aftermath of a blizzard, the world around takes on a glistening glow due to the sunlight reflecting off of the snowy cover blanketing the earth. In fact, in many cases it can downright hurt your eyes when you first leave the house following a glistening snowfall. The ultraviolet exposure that we are all so vigilant about during the summertime can actually be more dangerous in the colder season because it bounces off the snow or ice, resulting in a second exposure. This is the reason sunglasses are a crucial part of your winter attire.
Even though it's important to look great in your sunglasses, the most important consideration when choosing sunglasses is making sure they will properly protect your eyes. Check that your sunglasses block 100 percent of UV light by checking 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 reasonably priced options exist that still provide complete UV coverage.
Another important factor in picking the right sun wear is frame size. You will have the most protection when the lenses are large enough to totally shield your eyes and the areas around them as well. The more coverage you have, the less harmful UV rays will be able to get past your sunglasses. Lenses that wrap around the temples will also prevent UV waves from sneaking in from the sides.
Although it's much more commonly known these days that sunglasses are critical water gear because the water reflects the sun's rays, this also applies to wintery water as well. Therefore it is equally critical to wear sunglasses during times when you go out in the snow. Further ultraviolet radiation is stronger at greater elevations such as mountain ski slopes.
This winter, keep warm and stay protected! Make your sunglasses a fixed part of your routine.
