Most people eagerly anticipate the Summer season every year. During the season, our culture reverts to stressing the importance of shielding our eyes from sunlight. But did you realize that even in Winter, UV radiation can harm your eyes?

Winter brings gloomy days and chilly weather, so keep your sunglasses on. It is just as vital to protect yourself from the sun's rays when it is warm as it is to wear sunglasses when it is cold. To keep your eyes comfortable and shielded against the harsh Winter elements, keep those sunglasses close or get a specific Winter pair.

UV Takes No Holidays

Everyone has one core question: Should you use sunglasses in the Winter? Simply said—absolutely. Your eyes require shielding from the sun's UV rays at all times of the year. The American Optometric Association advises wearing sunglasses that filter out 75% to 90% of visible light and block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB radiation for the best eye sun safety.

But according to studies from the Vision Impact Institute, 31% of Americans rarely use sunglasses when they go outside, even though 75% of Americans are worried about UV safety.

Beware of the Winter Sun

From gloomy mornings to Wintry afternoons, you might need to close your curtains to avoid glare from the sun. Weather during Winter is unpredictable, making it challenging to prepare. 

Crucially, the glare from the sun during Winter is worse than that during Summer. It is because the sun sits much lower in the sky during winter than in Summer. Hence, it is just as crucial to safeguard your eyes from harm in the winter as in the Summer.

A Sneaky Snow Monster, Snow Blindness

Snowy Winter scenes are defined by magnificent ice crystals that act as prisms to intensify and reflect the sun's ultraviolet rays. As a result, a single hour spent skiing or snowboarding exposes your eyes to dangerous direct UV rays. You can compare this to spending all day outside in the Spring or Summer; because of this, taking preventative measures is crucial. The result is snow blindness or corneal sunburn.

Symptoms of Snow Blindness

Your eyes are as vulnerable to the sun as your skin. Medically sunburn of the cornea is called photokeratitis, referring to inflammation of the cornea.

• Tissue around the eyes and the eyelids may swell up.

• Extreme sensitivity to light.

• Eyes that burn or sting.

• Halos around lights. 

• Excessive tearing or watery eyes.

• Headaches.

• Redness and irritation.

• A gritty feeling or the feeling of sand in your eye.

• Blurred vision.

What Happens When You Do Not Protect From UV in Winter?

Prolonged exposure to UV radiation harms your eyes in the long and short term. In the long term, it can cause vision-threatening diseases and conditions that affect the quality of your life. Here are some of the common long-term conditions that can develop:

• Pterygium.

• Cataracts.

• Intraocular melanoma.

• Macular degeneration.

• Skin cancer.

For more on why UV protection for your eyes is just as important in the Winter, call Clarity Vision in Holly Springs at (919) 646-2900 to discuss your questions today!