As summer ends it’s time to say goodbye to late sunsets, long days at the beach and banish those dodgy speedos to the back of the wardrobe where they belong.
And with Jack Frost nipping at your nose you’d think it’s time to remove your sunglasses and stick them in the drawer until next year, but you are sadly mistaken my friend.
Yes although the sun is lower (well, technically it’s us that are higher but whatever) in the winter and the sky appears gloomier, it doesn’t mean the sun can’t damage our eyes. Harmful UV (Ultra Violet) rays still have effect on our peepers, even on the coldest of days.
Lenses
Why are those summer sunglasses not on your head right now? You’d be saving money but they really aren’t suitable for the winter season.One thing that should be remembered is that there is a difference between summer and winter sunglasses. In the summer, the glare is at its strongest meaning you need a dark tint on your lenses to protect your eyes. In the winter however, you’re going to require a lighter lens, but it should still have that protective coating to protect from those pesky UV rays.
Go skiing!
With winter approaching it’s time to dust off your skis and hit the slopes, but wait, what about your eyes? It’s essential to wear protective eye wear. Here are some key reasons:
• The wind in your face when at high speed can make your eyes teary and blur vision
• Particles of ice can get in your eyes, along with twigs, leaves and other distracting debris
• Because you’re at such high altitude, the sun and the UV rays are at their most intense, which could cause photokeratitis, otherwise known as sun blindness which is literally sunburn to the cornea of your eyes. Ouch!
What to look for
So you’ve decided to head out and purchase your new pair of winter friendly sunglasses, good decision. But what makes them so different to the standard summer trends?
• Colour-look for dark coloured fames and lenses like black and grey. White is an extremely reflective colour so should be avoided.
• Make sure the lenses are polarised. This is essential when protecting your eyes from the winters glare.
So there you have it, your very own guide to purchasing sunglasses suitable for the steadily approaching winter months. Now that your eyes have been dealt with, just don’t forget your scarf!
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
