Summer is officially here and it’s sunglasses season! Sunglasses are essential gear for doing anything outdoors, especially during the sunny months of summer, so we’re giving you 5 interesting facts that you probably didn’t already know about sunglasses.
1. Your eyes can get sunburned, even on cloudy days
Just like your skin, your eyes can be burned by the sun’s UV rays. And just like getting a sunburn on an overcast beach day, your eyes are still susceptible to damage even when there’s no sunshine in sight. It’s because the harmful but unseen UV rays, or ultra-violet light, still passes through cloud cover, posing an invisible threat to your retinas.
2. People Have Worn Sun-Blocking Eyewear For About 2,000 Years
Research suggests that the first people to use sun-blocking eyewear were members of the Thule culture, ancestors of the modern Inuit. These snow goggles, fashioned from bone, leather and wood, allowed only a small sliver of light through the slits. This effectively shielded the eyes from the blinding glare of sunlight reflected off the snow
3. Glasses Gained Sidepieces At About 1730
Until English optician Edward Scarlett invented temple-gripping sidepieces, spectacles were held in place by loops of ribbon around the ears or metal pinching the nose. Wearers of these glasses doubtless spent a lot of time pushing them back into place.
4. People Of All Ages Benefit From Sunglasses’ Protection
Our eyes need UV protection just as much as our skin does! After years of ultraviolet light damage, risk of cataracts increase, eye lenses become yellowed and cloudy, and eyelids can develop cancer. Protecting your eyes from the sun is an essential part of maintaining healthy vision. We’re proud to offer the latest in style and UV protection with our collection of sunglasses and adaptive lenses.
5. Polarized Isn’t best for every situation
“Polarized sunglasses are great at reducing glare, but they can make it difficult to see the LCD on your cell phone or navigation system. It’s harder to see an ATM screen when you’ve got polarized sunglasses on too.”
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Team Forever K Michael, Proud Sponsor of the Miss Black USA Pageant at our Nations Capital 2015
What are polarized sunglasses really?