Six out of every 10 adults in the U.S. wear some form of corrective eyeglasses. The statistic includes over-the-counter readers, magnifiers and sunglass wearers, and prescription glasses or contact lenses wearers. That’s a lot of people wearing glasses to help correct their vision, and it’s an important function. But don’t forget the other reasons you should wear glasses to help make sure your eyes stay healthy and your vision is clear.
Glasses can improve vision, but they also protect our eyes from sun damage
The suns ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB) can damage our eyes, harm our vision and cause various diseases. In fact, research studies suggest that overexposure to UV rays is a major factor in the development of:
- Cataracts
- Eye and eyelid cancers
- Benign eye growths
The intense reflection from snow and water can cause the eye’s cornea to become sunburned, which can result in blurry vision and severe pain for several days.
Clouds can’t protect your eyes, but sunglasses can
UV rays can penetrate cloud cover and damage your eyes, so always wear sunglasses that block 99% of UV light whenever you’re outside.
Glasses also protect our eyes from sources of damage and trauma
When patients come in to our office with work-related eye trauma, in almost all cases, the injury could have been prevented if they’d been wearing appropriate eye protection. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 20,000 workplace-related eye injuries occur each year, and they’re almost all preventable. Injuries range from simple cornea scratches to serious damage and even permanent vision loss.
Goggles or safety glasses should always be worn when needed
That means you should wear protective eyewear in may work environments, when playing sports and when mowing or trimming the lawn or cutting weeds with high-powered tools. Protective glasses should completely cover the eyes, not leave any openings on the sides and be made of strong plastic.
It’s your vision and it’s worth protecting
Glasses can be a fashionable accessory while they’re correcting and protecting your vision. Make an appointment for an eye exam today: (352)237-8400