Are you ready for National Sunglass Day? The Vision Council is working to educate consumers on the importance of wearing UV-protective eyewear. Next time you’re in the market for a new pair of shades, make UV-protection a priority and always purchase eyewear from a reputable source – like the Optical Boutique at Illinois Eye Center!
Sunglass wearing can be traced all the way back to ancient China and Rome. In China, sunglasses were worn during the 12th century or earlier. They were made out of lenses that were flat panes of smoky quartz. Although these sunglasses had no corrective powers and they didn’t protect from harmful UV rays, they did protect eyes from the sun’s glare. Fast forward to the 1900’s, when the use of sunglasses became more widespread, particularly amongst the Hollywood movie stars. Mass-production of inexpensive sunglasses began in 1929, when Sam Foster sold his sunglasses on the beaches of Atlantic City. During World War II, Ray Ban created anti-glare aviator-style sunglasses with polarization. Ray-Ban aviators were sold to the general public in 1937 and they’ve been a staple in the world of sunglass fashion to this day.
Today, sunglasses with UV-protection are typically an industry standard. A recent study found that more than 25 percent of US adults rarely wear sunglasses. What – why? Many are unaware of the link between UV exposure and eye diseases like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The study also found that sunglass use is highest among women 65 and older and lowest among men ages 18 to 34.
So, why should you wear sunglasses? Because wearing them on a regular basis helps protect your eyes and you’re able to express yourself with a wide variety of styles to choose from. Make sure to wear yours on June 27 and encourage your friends and family to do the same.