| Protective eyewear is essential when participating in | | | | important, means of protecting your eyes from sun |
| extreme sports such as surfing and skiing. Many | | | | damage. It is not always easy to image being able |
| harmful eye conditions are caused by repetitive | | | | to keep a set of sunglasses in place when you are |
| exposure to UVA and UVB lightwaves. Many spend | | | | participating in extreme water sports such as in |
| countless hours under the warm golden sun enjoying | | | | surfing. There are however several sunglasses on |
| a variety of outdoor sporting activities. A vast | | | | the market that use straps to keep the glasses in |
| majority of those individuals fail to protect their eyes | | | | place and are light-weight and comfortable enough to |
| from damaging UV rays. There are several | | | | wear during activity. Finding a pair that feels good is |
| conditions that develop in the eye secondary to | | | | important but they also have to provide the essential |
| longstanding repetitive unprotected exposure to the | | | | protection against the harmful UVA and UVB light |
| sunlight. Two common abnormalities include | | | | waves. When shopping for protective sunglasses |
| Pinguecula and Pterygium formations. A Pinguecula is | | | | you need to make sure that the lenses are |
| a yellowish lump that forms on the inner aspect of | | | | polarized. A polarized lens changes the direction of |
| the eye. The lump consists of sun-damaged | | | | the light as it comes into the eye lessening the direct |
| connective tissue that is formed from repeat | | | | sun exposure. You also want your lenses to protect |
| exposure to UV rays. A Pterygium, also caused | | | | against both UVA and UVB waves. Finding a frame |
| from repetitive sun exposure, grows in a horizontal | | | | that wraps around is also imperative to protect |
| fashion across the eye and can even interfere with | | | | against rays coming in from the sides of the glasses. |
| vision as it grows over the cornea. While these two | | | | A brand by the name of SeaSpecs makes a series |
| conditions can also be related to environments other | | | | of glasses that are ideal for extreme outdoor |
| than outdoor sports, Chronic Actinic Keratopathy is | | | | sports. The lenses are polarized, the frames are |
| more closely related to excessive UV light exposure | | | | wrap around, and they protect against both UVA and |
| such as that reflected from desert, water, and | | | | UVB waves. SeaSpecs also have a strap that |
| snow. Chronic Actinic Keratopathy is the | | | | secures the glasses on your head and is easily |
| development of an opaque band that runs | | | | adjustable to fit most men, women, and children. |
| horizontally across the eye and also impedes on the | | | | The frames are ventilated to keep the lenses clear |
| cornea. The key to avoid developing these or other | | | | and give you optimal visualization at all times. There |
| conditions is to protect the eyes from UVA and UVB | | | | are also other extreme sport glasses on the market |
| light overexposure. | | | | to choose from. The key truly is PREVENTION. |
| Having discussed some of the harmful side effects | | | | Make a habit of wearing protective eyewear during |
| from long term sun exposure we will now discuss | | | | any and all outdoor activities. |
| ways to prevent sun damage to the eyes. | | | | Heenalusurfshop. |
| Protective eyewear is one of the, if not the most | | | | |