They may be a fashion accessory, but sunglasses are much more than that. They are actually so important when it comes to maintaining healthy eyes.
Did you know, it doesn’t have to be summer, and the sun doesn’t have to be shining to wear your shades – you really need to wear them every day – even on cloudy or wintery days.
I always invest in a good pair of sunglasses every few years; I make sure to carry them in my handbag at all times. Even kids should wear them. Here are some top tips:
- Wear protective eyewear any time your eyes are exposed to UV light – it doesn’t just damage your skin, it also damages your eyes.
- Look for glasses that block 100% UV rays.
- Opt for big frames to block out as much light as possible.
- Kids tend to spend more time outdoors than adults, so it’s important they wear protective eyewear as much as mom and dad.
- Children are more susceptible to retinal damage from UV rays because the lens inside a child’s eye is clearer than an adult lens, enabling more UV to penetrate the eye.
- Of the 20 million people with cataracts, an estimated 20% may be due to UV exposure.
- Every year, 3.2 million people go blind due to prolonged UV exposure.
There you have it, there really is more to sunglasses than looking cool. Not only do they protect your eyes, but they also stop you from squinting and avoiding unwanted wrinkles.
I recently upgraded my shades at Richard Hughes Opticians Galway. They replenish their stock every six weeks to keep up to date with all the latest fashion trends, so choice was not an issue.
The two pairs that caught my eye were the amazing Chloé sunglasses featuring a turtledove frame with a graduated brown lens and a stunning deep purple pair with a gold trim on the frame and the legs.
How is a woman meant to decide!
Sinéad Carroll hails from Galway and is mom to three beautiful children, Chloe, Jack and Jenna Rose. As a qualified Financial Advisor and Beauty Therapist with a passion for Fashion, she blogs weekly over at Yummy Mummy about her favourite beauty products, fashion inspiration and lifestyle. Catch her on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for more.
