man in winter gear and sunglasses

Winter skies are often a little gloomier than our sunny summer days, but that doesn't make wearing sunglasses any less important in those cold months. From cold winds to snow storms, winter hazards add to the already strenuous conditions of the outdoors on our eyes. Wearing sunglasses that provide the appropriate protection and shield your eyes from the elements is the best way to ensure your eye safety.   

What do I need to be aware of?


In the winter months, powerful glares from light reflecting off snow and ice can result in impaired vision with temporary blindness. This dangerous effect is due to the Northern Hemisphere's tilt away from the sun in winter with, shorter days and the sun's angled path to us. The sun looks lower in the sky during this time of year, and the pupils try to narrow to minimize the quantity of sunlight reaching the eyes. As they cannot restrict enough, the result is eyestrain with headaches and fatigue. Polarized sunglasses fight glare and are meticulously engineered to filter light and elevate visual performance through enhanced colors, superior contrast, and increased clarity. Wearing polarized glasses in the winter will help block that glare from sun and snow and give you the confidence to enjoy the outdoors even when conditions aren't ideal. 

When we think of winter activities, many come to mind that take place in higher altitudes and elevations. The sun's rays have less atmosphere to travel through so there is an increased risk of sunburned eyes. UV rays are doubled when they bounce off icy and wet surfaces, increasing the quantity of radiation reaching the eyes. Without protection from these elements, cataracts, macular degeneration, and yellowish raised bumps on the whites of the eyes are much more common. The best way to protect against these eye issues is to wear sunglasses that keep out 100% of UV rays. Sunglasses that protect your eyes from the outdoor elements protect you from serious problems down the road.

Have you ever had dry eyes? This occurs because reactionary tears caused by cold air build a tear film on the eye. Brisk winds and cold air can cause this film to dry even faster, leaving the eyes dry and irritated. With high-wrap features and removable gaskets, certain sunglasses protect the eyes from every angle and in all elements to help your eyes maintain their natural moisture. 

Wind is never kind to our eyes but it is particularly worse in the winter because of the cold and dry nature of it. Sand, dust, and salt are all carried through the frigid winter winds that get into our eyes. These elements can scratch the cornea and irritate the eyes. Wearing high-wrap glasses can help stop these particles from getting into the eye. Not only that, but the wraparound sunglasses help to prevent wrinkles on the delicate skin around our eyes so we can reactive and proactive. 

Enduring powerful glares, high altitudes, and the elements during the winter can result in serious eye problems. Not only that but there is potential for blindness and vision impairment that can result in serious injury to not only you but others. Despite the season, wearing a pair of protective sunglasses can make for an allover better experience in the outdoors and benefit your eye health in the future. Don’t let the elements stop you from seeing the outdoors like never before.