Health Benefits of Sunglasses That May Shock You

Sunglasses are a favorite fashion accessory and keep the sun out of sensitive eyes. However, there are some less well-known health benefits that make it a good idea to keep a pair handy at all times.

Sunglasses Really Can Help You See in the Dark

Spending a few hours in the afternoon sun can reduce the eyes’ adaptability to a darkening sky. This makes driving after twilight more dangerous. For this and other reasons, it’s a good idea to use sunglasses regularly.

Fix Jet Lag

Travelers often get jet lag when flying across time zones. Nothing is more defeating than a successful trip or relaxing vacation followed by days of drowsiness. No one’s found a cure for jet lag but wearing sunglasses on the plane helps reduce the adverse effects. Minimal UV exposure helps reset the biological clock faster to avoid drowsiness and headaches following a flight.

Dry-Eye Fix

People who have dry-eye syndrome get it from environmental factors. Dry, windy environments don’t just dry out skin, the eyes are also affected. Sunglasses act like goggles and keep debris out of the eyes. Depending on the severity of the dry-eye syndrome, this prevents the symptoms associated with dry eye.

Debris Protection

Safety glasses protect many professionals, and sunglasses can serve a similar role. Wearing sunglasses keeps harmful debris from flying into the eyes of outdoor workers, which also protects their vision. Examples include landscapers, construction workers and others who wear protective sunglasses. Cross-country runners and other athletes count on sunglasses to protect them from the sun and injury due to physical contact.

Sunglasses Can Help Prevent Wrinkles

Squinting and straining adversely affect vision and leave crow’s feet and other wrinkles around the eyes. Wearing sunglasses reduces glare from the sun to prevent undue eye strain. Eyes are less tired and prone to wrinkles when proper eye protection is taken into consideration. Wearing sunglasses also improves vision during outdoor activities.

Buy a Quality Pair of Sunglasses

According to Omagazine.com, splurging on a good pair of sunglasses may be worth more than vanity points. The magazine recommends using sunglasses to protect the eyes, “Just not the $5 pair for sale on the corner. Those can do you more harm than good. Our pupils dilate behind dark lenses, meaning cheap shades will actually let more damaging rays into your eyes than if you weren’t wearing any sunglasses at all. Shop for a pair that’s designed to block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB light.”

Luckily, wholesale sunglasses provide discounts on brands that look great and provide the recommended protection.

Melissa Thompson
Melissa Thompson writes about a wide range of topics, revealing interesting things we didn't know before. She is a freelance USA Today producer, and a Technorati contributor.