In Greek mythology, one only had to look at Medusa to turn to stone forever. In the novel Coraline, Coraline's "other mother" tries to sew buttons in place of her eyes to trap her in an alternate life. In Hans Christian Andersen's Cinderella, the evil stepsisters get their eyes pecked out by birds as justice for their mistreatment of their cinder sister.
Scary eye damage doesn't just happen in stories. In reality, our eyes are at constant risk from environmental stressors that can cause serious damage if left unprotected. Keep your eyes peeled for tips to defend them from sun damage.
Sunglasses for Days
One of the easiest ways to protect your eyes from sun damage is to don a pair of shades. Think Keanu Reeves' character in The Matrix or cat-eyed Audrey Hepburn. Not only will it up your style factor, sunglasses with UV400 labels or guaranteed 100% UV protection block harmful UV and UVB sunrays that can do major damage to your eyes.
You might think sunglasses are only necessary when you're at the beach or hiding dark circles from a night out. In reality, your eyes need the protection of sun shades all the time-especially when it's overcast, snowy, or you're out on the water. UV rays are powerful. They go through cloud-filled skies and bounce off the reflection of snowy hills and cool lakes.
Pitch-black lenses may seem like the best option for sunglasses, but remember, you still need to see clearly. Try out different tints-like dark gray, brown, amber, or green-to find the best one for your vision, while still offering optimal UV protection.
Any Excuse to Wear a Hat
Some hats are just iconic, like Sherlock Holmes' deerstalker, the Mad Hatter's traveling top hat, or Jackie Kennedy's classic pillbox hat. And there's a good chance you have a few hats laying around just waiting to be shown off. Broad brimmed hats do the best job to protect your eyes from sun damage. With shade on your face, you ease up on squinting in the bright sunshine. Plus, it helps to prevent overheating and sunburns.
Eye-Safe SPF
Of course, you're wearing SPF to protect against daily sun damage (wink, wink), but are you leaving your eyelids exposed? Make sure the daily sunscreen you're applying is gentle and safe enough to use on your under eyes and eyelids. This skin is thin and more susceptible to sun damage, so it's important to give it some SPF love.
Hit the Road in Shades
Again with the sunglasses, I know. Wearing your shades is even more important when you're driving. No matter how tinted your car windows are, UV rays can still get through and damage your fragile corneas. Plus, sunlight often reflects off surfaces in your car causing glare that can impair your vision without your trusty shades. An extra pair of sunglasses in your car is an easy way to make sure you're always prepared to keep sun damage in the dark before hitting the road.
Bright-Eyed Future
Simple tips to protect your eyes will have you seeing clearer for longer. Sunglasses, wide brim hats, and SPF are key. If you're concerned about your eye health, there are some great supplements, like Visionex® DS from USANA Health Sciences, to help optimize your eye health. Your eyes are your gateway to the world. Don't miss out on the sights you've yet to see. Protect your baby blues today.
About Author
Living and writing in Utah, Shauntel Peterson finds stories in unexpected places, like antique stores, hiking trails, and secret gardens.
