Why Seniors Need to Wear Sunglasses

Celebrating National Sunglasses Day on June 27

Sometimes we associate the need to protect our eyes from the sun only with spending a bright and sunny day at the beach or by the lake. The reality is that we need to protect our eyes from the sun and environment every single day—whether it is during the middle of winter or the heat of summer in Northeast Ohio.

National Sunglasses Day, an initiative of The Vision Council, is held every June 27 to highlight the importance of wearing protective eyewear to shield our eyes from the sun’s harsh ultraviolet (UV) rays. While it is important for everyone to wear sunglasses, older adults can be more prone to eye problems, particularly related to ultraviolet exposure. If you regularly experience prolonged exposure to the sun, this exposure can cause or worsen some eye conditions like keratitis, which is inflammation of the cornea. 

Here are a few tips about selecting and wearing sunglasses to keep in mind:

Look for glasses that offer 100% UV protection. The goal is to completely eliminate exposure to harmful UV rays. For example, polarized sunglass lenses will reduce glare, but they will not block UV rays from reaching your eyes. 

Wear sunglasses year-round. Your eyes need to be protected from the sun whenever you are outside, even on a cloudy day. There is no “season” for sunglasses. 

There are many benefits of sunglasses. You can beat glare, reduce your eye strain, protect your eyes from wind or debris, improve the clarity of your vision outdoors, and, of course, get that essential UV protection.

The next time you step outside, make sure you have your sunglasses ready to go.