Celebrating UV Safety Month

After months of social distancing, we are all eager to get outside of the house. But, before you step out in your backyard or take your dog for a long walk in the fresh air, you should consider some safety measures to protect your eyes from harmful UV-A and UV-B rays. After all, it is UV Safety Month, and you don’t want to end your summer with sustained eye damage!

Wear sunglasses

Excessive exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can lead to conditions such as premature cataracts, cancer, and photokeratitis. Therefore, it is essential to take precautions in order to avoid UV ray damage. One of the best ways to protect your eyes is to wear sunglasses—even if you’re in the shade or it’s a cloudy day. Many believe that they are safe from rays in shady areas, but rays can reflect off of pavement, water, sand, and grass. In fact, up to 90% of UV rays are reflected off of water, alone.

However, before you throw on those sunglasses at the bottom of your drawer, you need to ensure that they pass this regulation test:

• Do they block out at least 99% of UV-A and UV-B rays?
• Do they have gray lenses for less color distortion?
• Do they block out at least 75% of visible light?

The right pair of sunglasses should be able to protect your eyes thoroughly—without being a nuisance, uncomfortable, or poorly fitting. If you need to purchase a great pair of sunglasses, visit us at Better Vision New Jersey. We can help you get the prescription or non-prescription lenses you need.

Stay informed

Knowing what factors are linked to high levels of UV ray exposure can help lower your chances of sustaining eye damage. Staying up to date with blogs like these will guide you and help you protect your eyes adequately. 

One risk factor for UV rays is the time of day. UV rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is best to avoid going outside during this time period—especially if you don’t have good sunglasses. 

Planning a beach day with friends? Remember that UV rays will also reflect off of the sand and water and harm your eyes. So, always pack a pair of sunglasses and try to avoid being out during peak UV ray times in the summer. Hats with broad brims are another useful accessory that help keep some UV rays from reaching your eyes. We recommend pairing a hat and sunglasses for extra facial protection from the sun.

With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to have safe fun in the summer sun! If you need more information about UV Safety Month or are looking to get a new pair of sunglasses, call us today.