Happy Sunglasses Day!

Elton John has over a thousand pairs, Canadian singer Corey Hart only wears his at night, and you can tell the good guys from the bad guys in The Matrix by the shape of theirs. What am I talking about? Sunglasses, of course! There’s nothing quite as stylish as a pair of shades, so get out your aviators or your wayfarers and start celebrating National Sunglasses Day!

Although the origins of National Sunglasses Day are unknown, the history of sunglasses stretches as far back as 14th century China, where judges used eyewear made of smoke-coloured quartz to mask their emotions. Fast-forward 600 years and modern sunglasses as we know them today were first marketed by entrepreneur Sam Foster on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

One other thing to remember is that sunglasses also help protect your eyes from harmful UV light, so channel your inner-cool and slip on those shades on National Sunglasses Day!

Did you know that your eyes can become sunburned? 

75 percent of Americans are concerned about exposure to the sun’s UV rays, but only 31 percent of Americans wear sunglasses when they venture outside.  You know wearing sunblock can help to protect your skin.  Don’t forget to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Eye Care Tips

• UV exposure increases the likelihood of the formation of cataracts
• UV exposure can cause cancer of the eye or eyelid
• Water reflects up to 100 % of UV rays
• Concrete reflects up to 25% of UV rays
• Grass reflects up to 3% of UV rays
• The eyes of a child are more vulnerable to UV rays than an adults
• Exposure to UV rays promotes more rapid age-related macular degeneration and blindness
• The harmful effects of UV rays are cumulative over a lifetime of exposure
• Squinting in the sun causes wrinkles
• UV rays are just as dangerous on cloudy days as sunny days

Adapted from https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/sunglasses-day/ and http://www.bbb.org/central-california-inland-empire/news-events/news-releases/2016/06/june-27th-is-national-sunglasses-day/