While many feel as though their eyes are only in danger during the summer months when the sun is burning bright, this is a myth that needs to be debunked. In the winter sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are just as strong and can often pack a damaging punch for your eyes because of the increased dryness and illnesses present during the winter. It's important to remember that sunglasses aren't solely for summertime- they're a year round investment for the health of your eyes!

Protect Your Eyes

When the cooler weather set in, did you put away your sunglasses? It’s time to bring them back out, as your eyes need just as much protection now as they did from the summer’s UV rays. Harsh UV rays can lead to immediate and ongoing eye problems, such as macular degeneration, cataracts, and night vision problems.

When headed outside on a winter day, make sure to pack appropriately.

First and foremost, grab a pair of sunglasses. If needed, keep one pair at home, another in your car, and another at the office so that you never have to worry about being without your shades. If you're anything like us, it's easy to forget things, so having a few extras can't hurt.

If taking a trip this winter to ski or snowboard, exercise outside, or if you work at a job that keeps you outdoors, reflective sports goggles or eye protection are the first thing you should pack with you.

When attending an outdoor sporting event, pack a hat in addition to your sunglasses in order to have extra protection against the winter sun. Hats are not solely to protect your face from a sunburn, they can significantly limit the amount of rays that get to your eyes. Keep in mind that this is important on cloudy days too. In fact, 80 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays can pass through even on a cloudy day!