Wearing sunglasses Protect Your Eyes From UV Rays

Ultraviolet light is found in sunlight and gets its name from the fact that the light spectrum is higher than the waves humans see as the purplish color, violet. While UV radiation has several beneficial side effects such as helping the body process Vitamin D, too much can lead to health problems like skin cancer and suppression of the immune system. Sunscreen and clothing can shield your body but you need a quality pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes.

The first consideration for choosing sunglasses should be the level of UV protection they offer. This can generally be found right on the lenses. Next on the list is the style of the sunglasses. Sunlight can enter the eyes both straight on and from the sides. For serious UV protection look for wrap-around styles. Finally, take a look at the material of the lens. Glass offers a minimal of UV blockage but can be treated to increase protection. Polycarbonate, on the other hand, is an ideal lens material because it blocks most ultraviolet light but UV coating can be placed on any type of sunglasses.