Accent Vision Care

Schedule Appointment

Accent Vision Care

Outdoor Activities and Eye Health: The Role of Polarized Lenses and Prescription Sunglasses 

Aug 1, 2023 | Eye Health Info

Whether you’re hiking, biking, or just lounging at the beach, it’s important to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how polarized lenses and prescription sunglasses can help protect your eyes while enjoying outdoor activities. 

What are polarized lenses? 

Polarized lenses are specially designed lenses that reduce glare by blocking horizontal light waves. The polarized filter in these lenses absorbs the horizontal light waves that cause glare while allowing vertical light waves to pass through to the eyes. This results in clear and comfortable vision, even on bright sunny days, and enhances your visual experience when engaging in outdoor activities, such as boating, fishing, or skiing. 

The benefits of prescription sunglasses 

Prescription sunglasses are designed to protect your eyes from UV rays while correcting your vision at the same time. Because they are custom-made to your prescription, they provide clear vision even in bright light. They are also available with a variety of lens types, including polarized lenses to reduce glare. Regular sunglasses without a prescription will only provide UV protection, which can cause more eye strain and damage since the eyes will be working harder to focus on objects while in bright light.  

The importance of UV protection 

When shopping for polarized sunglasses or prescription glasses, it’s important to ensure they offer adequate UV protection. UV rays can damage your eyes in the same way they can harm your skin, causing cataracts and other eye disorders. Look for sunglasses with a UV protection rating of at least 400, which blocks 99 to 100 percent of UV rays. This will ensure that your eyes stay safe while enjoying your favorite outdoor activities. 

Other eye protection tips 

 While polarized lenses and prescription sunglasses are great ways to protect your eyes, they are not the only methods. Here are some additional tips to protect your eyes when spending time outdoors: 

  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat to provide additional shade. 
  • Avoid looking directly at the sun, especially during high-intensity hours. 
  • Take frequent breaks when engaging in prolonged outdoor activities, like hiking or camping. 
  • Stay hydrated to keep your eyes moist and prevent dryness and irritation.  

Don’t let the harmful effects of the sun damage your eyes. Invest in polarized lenses or prescription sunglasses to enhance your outdoor activities and protect your eye health. Come visit us today at Accent Vision Care in Gonzales and browse our wide selection of prescription and non-prescription sunglasses with polarized lenses! We’ll help you find the perfect pair to fit your visual needs and lifestyle.