It's National Sunglasses Day - The Mind's Eye | Vision and Dental Plans | VBA

Break out your shades, folks! June 27, is annually recognized as National Sunglasses Day by the Vision Council.

Do you prefer your sunglasses to be aviators or oversized? Maybe you like a cute cat-eye over a classic wayfarer? Wear whatever style suits you best—just make sure they protect your eyes!

Sunglasses are a vital tool to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Did you know that there are two types of UV rays that can harm your eyes?

• UV-A rays can hurt your central vision. It can potentially damage the macula, part of the retina at the back of your eye.
• UV-B rays are usually absorbed by the front of your eye, but can cause even more damage to your eyes than UV-A.

To provide adequate protection for your eyes, select sunglasses that:

• Block 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B rays
• Reduce glare
• Wrap-around your face for added protection

Wearing proper sunglasses can help protect your eyes from sun damage. Short-term effects of sun exposure can cause swollen or red eyes, or hypersensitivity to light. Years of cumulative exposure can cause vision problems such as cataracts or macular degeneration.

So celebrate your sunglasses with us today and year round!