The sun has already been in evidence at the end of a cold UK winter and everyone has been out and about. But that made me think about our eyes and the sun. Sunglasses help you in two important ways. They filter light and they protect your eyes from damaging ultra-violet (UV) rays. Mounting evidence shows that exposure to UV rays can damage your eyes. Long-term exposure to UV rays can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration, or skin cancer around the eyelids. Sunglasses should always be worn when you are outdoors so you can protect your eyes.

You should choose sunglasses that:
reduce glare
filter out 99-100% of UV rays
protect your eyes
are comfortable to wear
do not distort colours.
Am I at risk for eye problems caused by UV rays?
Everyone is at risk for eye problems caused by the sun. Even children are at risk for damaging their eyes. The risk of sun related eye problems is higher for people who:
spend long hours in the sun
have had cataract surgery or have certain retina disorders
are on certain medicines, such as tetracycline, sulfa drugs, birth control pills, diuretics, and tranquilisers that increase the eye's sensitivity to light.

When you buy your sunglasses, look for a label that tells you how much UV radiation the lenses of the sunglasses reflect. Experts say that your sunglasses should block 99-100% of both UV-A and UV-B rays. You should also consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat along with your sunglasses. This will help to block the sunlight from overhead.

Children are at special risk from the harmful effects of UV, since their eyes do not have the same ability as adults to protect from UV radiation.
Here are some helpful suggestions for choosing sunglasses for children:
Check to make sure the sunglasses fit well and are not damaged,
Choose sunglasses that fit your child's lifestyle-the lenses should be impact resistant and should not pop out of the frames,
Choose lenses that are large enough to shield the eyes from most angles, Find a wide-brimmed hat for your child to wear along with the sunglasses.

Eye protection tips:
1. Wash eye with a fresh water.
2. Wear sunglasses.
3. Eat foods having vitamin "A".
4. Go for a morning walk regularly.
5. Eat green vegetables. etc.