Sunglasses a must to protest eyes in winter

YARDLEY, Pa. -- We wrap ourselves and our children up in multiple layers-- topped off with a scarf, hat, and gloves.

But many of us don't wear sunglasses in the winter.

Eye doctors say we should.

The sun is a welcome sight these days.

But a day in that brilliant sunshine with snow on the ground can be harder on your eyes than a day at the beach.

So Dr. Brian Cohen of Yardley Eye Care says sunglasses in winter are a must.

"What you get in the winter is the reflectivity off the snow. so the snow can reflect as much as 85% UV radiation back at you," says Dr. Cohen.

And they're even more important for kids than adults - they are outside more often, and the lenses of their eyes let in more UV - or ultraviolet rays.

Children with light-colored eyes are even more vulnerable to sun damage.

The earlier kids get good eye protection, the less likely they are to develop serious problems later in life, such as -

"Cataracts, macular degeneration, retinal problems, unsightly growths on the white part of your eye that can interfere with the functioning of the tear film. and you can also get skin cancers in & around the eyelid," says Dr. Cohen.

He says sunglasses should give 99 or 100% U-V protection.

Polarized ones will cut down on glare.

And lenses made of polycarbonate material won't distort your vision.

To cut sunlight without changing colors, go for gray, green, or brown lenses.

For grayer days or outdoor sports, yellow or rose-colored lenses are good.

Wrap-around glasses don't just look cool - they serve a purpose.

"They're going to fit tight to the face. It's going to eliminate a lot of the sun you get from the tops and the sides," he says.

One more note on children's sunglasses - Remember to read the labels, and don't just buy a toy pair. Their lenses may not be 100% U-V protective.

As Dr. Cohen says, "Wearing sunglasses is like wearing sunscreen on your skin. You know you should protect your skin from the sun all year round. You also have to protect your eyes from the sun all year round."