We expect a lot from our eyes. During a normal day, the eyes will use about the same amount of energy as the legs would use walking fifty miles. The additional burden of glare causes the eyes to strain in order to see well. Wearing sunglasses will reduce or eliminate this strain, cut the impact of harsh glare and eliminate the need to squint.

Sunglasses also offer protection against something very serious - ultraviolet radiation (UV). Sunglass lenses block 99% of harmful UV rays. Visual acuity, contrast, and overall sensitivity can be reduced by up to 50%, due to the sun's sustained bleaching of the photochemical rhodopsin in the rods of the retina. The right sunglasses during the day can block the appropriate light and at night can protect retinal sensitivity.

As people spend more time outdoors, concern regarding the potentially harmful effects of sunlight increases. While many people appreciate the importance of using sunscreens to protect their skin, not everyone is quite so careful about choosing sunglasses. The best protection for the eyes against ultraviolet radiation (UV) is optical-quality sunglasses.

The upper layer of the earth's atmosphere is often called the "ozone layer." This layer is the critical barrier guarding the earth from harmful UV light. Many believe that certain man-made chemicals have seriously depleted the ozone layer resulting in an increase in the amount of UV radiation reaching the earth. Increased UV radiation could lead to more risk of skin cancer, immune system disorders, cataracts, and other eye problems.

Children need protection from UV rays even more than adults do. Up until age 14, children's eyes are three times more vulnerable to UV damage than an adult's. Extra protection is essential.

Damage to the eye is cumulative, increasing from year to year. So, the earlier children start protecting their eyes, the better.

Today's children will be exposed to more cumulative UV radiation in their lifetime than any previous generation.

50% of a person's total lifetime UV radiation exposure occurs before age 18.

Exposure to sunlight at an early age appears to be the critical factor in the development of eye cancer. This risk is much more serious when there have been a few episodes of acute sunburn.

The three basic steps that all of us can take to negate the long-term hazards of UV radiation are to wear sunglasses, hats, and skin protection.