Springtime Ritual: New Sunglasses

At long last there is a break to the weather. Sunny, mild days will lure more of you outdoors.

The smart ones will remember to apply sunblock every morning (keep a bottle on your bathroom sink and use it as a daily moisturizer - men, women, and children). Next, you'll start to look for those sunglasses you wore last summer. "I know I put them somewhere!" (I currently have three pairs hiding on me). Before long you are off to the store to buy another pair of sunglasses. Will you make a savvy purchase?

One of the great things about a WebMD membership is having access to lots of 'behind the scenes' health consumer information. This applies to everyday purchases like sunglasses, too.

Here's a quick breakdown on what to look for in your new sunglasses:

• Demand 100% UV protection - protect your eyes from dangerous ultraviolet rays that will age your eyelid skin, accelerate cataract formation, and contribute to vision loss later in life from Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
• Tint is irrelevant - The intensity of the dark tint (or mirror coating) does not correlate with filter strength.
• Stare from glare? Ask about polarized lenses to reduce or eliminate harsh glare
• Wraparounds - Give yourself complete protection
• Durability - Whether prescription or OTC, make sure the lenses are made of polycarbonate.

Finally, remember that ordinary sunglasses are not the same product as protective sports eyewear. If you plan to be involved in outdoor athletics or extreme activities it is wise to invest in a high quality pair of indestructable sunshades that will protect your eyes from the seen and the unseen!

Related Topics: Summer Skin Care, Spring Break for your Body

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