Warm weather, sunny days, and clear, blue skies make summer a special time of the year. Too much sunshine, however, can pose a risk to your eyes. A quality pair of sunglasses can help counter the effects of UV rays on your eyes, so you can enjoy fun in the sun to the full. These FAQs from Advanced Eye Care, your optometry specialists in Amarillo, Canyon, Dumas, and Hereford, TX, explain the role that sunglasses play in protecting your eyes and sight.  

What harm can the sun do to my eyes?

The sun is the source of UV rays that are harmful to your eyes. Overexposure to UV light can damage your eyes over time, causing vision loss. Long-term UV ray exposure can lead to corneal damage, dry eye, cataracts, macular degeneration, cancerous growths on the surface of your eye, and other conditions that can impair your sight. If you’re having trouble with your vision, contact our eye doctor to schedule an eye exam. An eye exam will reveal the source of your visual problems, so our optometrist can recommend treatment to improve your sight.

How do sunglasses protect my eyes?

Sunglasses block out UV light to protect your eye health and vision against harmful UV rays of the sun. For optimal protection, we recommend sunglasses that block 99 to 100% of UV rays from the sun. Sunglasses can also protect your eyes from glare, wind, and other adverse weather conditions that lead to dry, itchy, and irritated eyes.

When should I wear sunglasses?

Anytime you’re outdoors in the sun, you should wear sunglasses, whether the sun is bright or not. If you spend a lot of time outdoors for work or recreation, you need quality sunglasses that provide maximum protection for your eyes. 

What are my sunglasses options?  

At Advanced Eye Care, we carry a wide assortment of designer sunglasses in all colors, sizes, shapes, and styles. Our optometrist can help you select sunglasses that are attractive, functional, and suited to your lifestyle. We can also place photochromic lenses, which automatically darken in the sun, in your prescription eyeglasses to achieve the same UV protection results. Wraparound sunglasses offer another alternative to keep harmful UV rays from your eyes.

What are polarized lenses?

Polarized lenses help filter glare from water, roads, and other horizontal surfaces to protect your eyes. Our eye doctor may recommend polarized lenses for fishing, boating, long-distance driving, skiing, or other outdoor activities where glare can be a problem.

Check Out Our Selection of Name-Brand Sunglasses at Advanced Eye Care!

For quality sunglasses at an affordable cost, contact Advanced Eye Care in Amarillo, TX, at 806-355-9536 or visit our optometry offices in Canyon, Dumas, and Hereford.