Can you wear sunglasses in the winter? Of course! A better question, however, is why should you? After all, in the winter, the sun is furthest away and goes down much earlier, right? The truth is that sunglasses in winter are crucial for protecting your eyes from harmful UV radiation, which is present year-round, regardless of the season.
You not only can wear sunglasses in the winter, but you should. Snow and ice reflect sunlight, increasing glare and eye damage risk. Sunglasses with 100% UV protection reduce glare, enhance comfort, and protect against harsh elements, making them great for outdoor winter activities. Look for polarized lenses and wraparound styles for maximum protection.
Common Misconceptions About Wearing Sunglasses in Winter
A common misconception about wearing sunglasses in winter is that they are unnecessary or even odd. Many people associate sunglasses solely with warm days or summer vacations, leading them to believe that eye protection is not needed during cold, gloomy months.
This notion is misleading. The truth is that UV rays are present year-round and can still cause significant damage to your eyes during winter months. Regardless of the season, prioritizing eye health is essential. Wearing sunglasses protects against harmful UV radiation, ensuring that your eyes remain healthy and comfortable no matter the weather.
Can you Wear Sunglasses in the Winter?
UVA rays maintain the same strength throughout the year and can penetrate clouds and windows. Snow and ice exacerbate the risk by reflecting most UV rays, significantly increasing exposure. This heightened UV exposure can lead to various eye conditions, including cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens that can impair vision.
Other potential eye damages include:
- Pterygium (tissue growth blocking vision)
- Skin cancer around the eyes
- Macular degeneration
By wearing sunglasses in winter, you can safeguard your eyes against these harmful effects and maintain long-term eye health.
Reasons to Wear Sunglasses in Winter
Wearing sunglasses protects your eyes from harmful UV rays, which can penetrate clouds and lead to damage on sunny or even overcast winter days. Sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection are essential. They also reduce glare from snow and ice, enhancing visibility and comfort during outdoor activities like skiing and hiking, while shielding against harsh elements.
Protection from UV rays
Eye protection from UV rays is the main reason to wear sunglasses in winter. UV radiation is present year-round, regardless of the season or weather conditions. For example, it’s estimated that:
- 89% of rays make it through scattered clouds
- 73% through broken clouds
- 32% for overcast conditions
This means that your eyes are at risk of UV damage, even when it’s overcast.
To safeguard your vision, it’s important to wear sunglasses that provide 100% UVA and UVB protection. These specially designed lenses block harmful rays that can lead to various eye conditions, including photokeratitis (snow blindness).
Reducing glare
Glare from snow and ice can also impair vision by reflecting sunlight, creating intense, blinding light that overwhelms the eyes. This reflected light can cause temporary vision difficulties, making it challenging to see:
- Road conditions
- Obstacles
- Changes in terrain
Polarized lenses are particularly effective in combating this winter glare by filtering out horizontal light waves that cause reflective brightness. These specialized lenses:
- Reduce glare
- Enhance contrast
- Improve visual clarity in snowy environments
By blocking reflected light, polarized sunglasses improve visibility as well as help prevent eye strain and the potential temporary vision loss associated with intense winter reflections.
Comfort during outdoor activities
Wearing sunglasses in winter can make you more comfortable during outdoor activities by protecting your eyes from harsh environmental elements. Sunglasses act as a barrier, shielding your eyes from cold wind or snowflakes.
Additionally, they improve visibility by reducing glare and enhancing contrast when:
- Skiing
- Hiking
- Driving
This allows you to better focus on your surroundings. Increased comfort not only makes outdoor experiences more enjoyable, but also helps you stay alert and safe in various winter conditions.
Choosing the Right Sunglasses for Winter
There are several key features to prioritize when choosing winter sunglasses that help ensure optimal eye protection and comfort. Along with polarized lenses, look for wraparound styles since they provide enhanced coverage and prevent UV rays from entering around the frame edges.
Choose sunglasses made from durable materials like:
- Plastic
- Acetate
- TR90
Make sure to opt for lenses that offer 100% UVA and UVB protection to safeguard your eyes from harmful radiation. Consider additional features like anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings to maintain clarity and durability in winter conditions. Neutral lens colors are also a good idea, with charcoal, taupe, and emerald being ideal for maintaining true color perception.
For those who require vision correction, prescription sunglasses with polarized or mirrored lenses can provide both clear vision and comprehensive eye protection.
You can and should wear sunglasses in the winter. This is because snow and ice reflect sunlight, heightening glare and the risk of eye damage. Sunglasses with 100% UV protection help reduce glare, improve comfort, and shield against harsh conditions. Opt for polarized lenses and wraparound designs for optimal eye safety.
Hardin Valley Eyecare & Optical has been serving Knoxville since 2009. Located at 10904 Spring Bluff Way, you can schedule an appointment online or call us at (865) 888-0892.
