Pick
shades that look great and give your eyes the best protection—and keep your old
pair out of the landfill. Outdoor
gardening can do damage to your eyes and skin, so it’s important to protect
ourselves when making our outdoor space beautiful.
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| While you may look hip, these sunglasses may not be good for the eyes. |
When
choosing sunglasses, it’s tempting to put fashion first. But don’t forget their
most important function: providing protection for your peepers. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can damage both the cornea and the retina of the eye, as well as
contribute to the development of certain types of cataracts. While everyone’s
eyes are at risk, some of us are even more so: If you spend a lot of time in
the sun, have had cataract surgery or certain retina disorders, or if you take
medications that can increase the eye’s sensitivity to light (such as
tetracycline, birth control pills, sulfa drugs, diuretics, or tranquilizers),
make sure to throw on some shades every time you’re outside. Here are some tips to keep your peepers safe:
Look for a label
Sunglasses should have lenses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays, and they need to carry a tag or sticker stating they do. Fortunately, you don’t have to pay a lot to get this level of protection.
Sunglasses should have lenses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays, and they need to carry a tag or sticker stating they do. Fortunately, you don’t have to pay a lot to get this level of protection.
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| Maui Jim is known for fashion and highest eye protection. |
Get wraparound frames
Oversize lenses may be back in fashion, but they’re more then just stylish—they also offer more protection for your eyes and the skin around them. Shades that curve or wrap around the sides are even better, because they keep sunlight from sneaking in through the sides. It’s also wise to wear a wide-brimmed hat when in the sun, which should stop light from entering into the eye area from above.
Oversize lenses may be back in fashion, but they’re more then just stylish—they also offer more protection for your eyes and the skin around them. Shades that curve or wrap around the sides are even better, because they keep sunlight from sneaking in through the sides. It’s also wise to wear a wide-brimmed hat when in the sun, which should stop light from entering into the eye area from above.
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| Oakley is known for high eye protection for the active sunglasses wearer. |
Consider extra features
High-end frames won’t offer any more protection than a cheap pair that blocks 100 percent of UV rays, but they may have extras that make your eyes more comfortable when in the sun—and thus make you more prone to wearing them, according to Dr. Monica. Polarized lenses, for example, help reduce glare. Just make sure they’ve also been treated with UV protection, as some shades are just polarized. Blue-blocking glasses, which typically have yellow or orange lenses, make distant objects easier to see and sharpen the contrast in colors, so they’re great for seeing in fog and haze.
High-end frames won’t offer any more protection than a cheap pair that blocks 100 percent of UV rays, but they may have extras that make your eyes more comfortable when in the sun—and thus make you more prone to wearing them, according to Dr. Monica. Polarized lenses, for example, help reduce glare. Just make sure they’ve also been treated with UV protection, as some shades are just polarized. Blue-blocking glasses, which typically have yellow or orange lenses, make distant objects easier to see and sharpen the contrast in colors, so they’re great for seeing in fog and haze.
Seek out recycled shades
While buying secondhand shades might seem like the greenest way to go, Dr. Monica advises against buying used frames unless they are marked with a sticker that says they block the proper amount of UV. If there isn’t a tag, you can’t be sure they’re protective unless you bring them to an eye-care expert who can check them with a photometer.
While buying secondhand shades might seem like the greenest way to go, Dr. Monica advises against buying used frames unless they are marked with a sticker that says they block the proper amount of UV. If there isn’t a tag, you can’t be sure they’re protective unless you bring them to an eye-care expert who can check them with a photometer.
Repair or donate instead of tossing
It is possible to have sunglasses repaired by a professional, so if you spent enough on nice shades, bring them to an expert who may be able to buff out scratches or repair broken parts. When they’re beyond repair, though, don’t just toss them in the trash. Keep them out of the landfill and give them a second life by donating them instead. Unite for Sight accepts gently used sunglasses and send them to those who are unable to purchase their own pair, both in the U.S. and abroad.
It is possible to have sunglasses repaired by a professional, so if you spent enough on nice shades, bring them to an expert who may be able to buff out scratches or repair broken parts. When they’re beyond repair, though, don’t just toss them in the trash. Keep them out of the landfill and give them a second life by donating them instead. Unite for Sight accepts gently used sunglasses and send them to those who are unable to purchase their own pair, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Buying a great pair of sunglasses also insures you can
see the need for garden décor enhancement in various open patches of your yard.
GlitzyGardenDecor.com can help you find unique “garden kits” coming to our
store very soon. Check back with us soon
to see easy pre-made kits you can buy, install like a plug in lay and have an
immediate Patio Party.
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