How Sunglasses Can Help Prevent Migraines Triggered by the Sun
Isn’t it wonderful to finally say goodbye to the winter? The days are increasingly longer and hotter, and the sun’s shining bright again. However, it’s not a reason to celebrate for people who are sensitive to sunlight, or “photophobic.” About 60% of headaches are caused by lights, including the glare of the sun. If you want to enjoy the summer weather without the painful glare, here’s how sunglasses can help.
Do Sunglasses Help with Headaches?
If you have sensitive eyes and suffer from frequent headaches or migraine attacks in the peak of summer, you may already know how sunglasses can save the day by shielding your eyes from the sun. However, not all sunglasses are created equal. You need a good quality pair that can keep out harmful UV rays for ultimate protection.
Why You Need Sunglasses with UV Protection
The sun’s ultraviolet rays, especially UVB rays, burn the skin easily and are just as harmful to your eyes. The lens within your eye helps you focus and is made up of proteins. UVB rays affect these proteins, making it more difficult to change focus. More sun-related eye issues include:
-Cataracts. Cataracts make the lenses in your eyes go cloudy and can be caused by prolonged exposure to UV rays over many years. Surgery is the only way to treat cataracts.
-Macular degeneration. The slow breakdown of your eyes’ macula makes you lose your central vision. Like cataracts, the condition can be caused by cumulative UV ray exposure over time.
-Pterygium and pinguecula. This growth on the clear coating of the whites of your eyes is caused by prolonged exposure to UV rays, dust and wind. In rare cases, the fatty deposit can grow so large that it makes it difficult for you to see. If this happens, you may need surgery to remove it.
-Photokeratitis. This is a type of sunburn of the eye caused by large amounts of exposure to UV rays in a short period. It’s usually caused by the sun’s rays reflected from water, snow, sand and ice and can damage the cornea’s outer layers. It can even lead to temporary “snow blindness.” Be sure to protect your eyes when you swim outdoors and spend long hours on the beach. It’s also important to protect your eyes from damaging snow glare in the winter.
-Solar retinopathy. More serious than photokeratitis, solar retinopathy is a permanent sunburn on your retinas that can cause vision loss and blindness. There is no medical treatment for solar retinopathy, which is why you’re told to never look directly into the sun. It’s a condition that some people get when looking at a solar eclipse without proper eye protection.
-Skin cancer of the eyelid. The skin around your eyes is thinner than the rest of your body and more susceptible to damage and cancerous growths. Intense sun exposure can lead to basal or squamous cell carcinoma. It starts with a little spot or sore on the eyelid and can rapidly develop into skin cancer. Cancer treatments depend on the growth’s size, type, depth and location.
Investing in high-quality sunglasses that block UV rays can help prevent migraine attacks. Our sunglass lenses aim to block harmful rays with wavelengths shorter than 400 nanometers.
