Why it is important to use sunglasses when it snows

If we go to the beach, to the park, or if the day is sunny, we wear glasses, but what few people know is that when it snows it is also advisable to wear sunglasses. Skiing, snowboarding and other similar activities are great fun, but snow can become a harmful element for our eyesight.

Today, at Optica Bassol we will explain why it is important to wear sunglasses when it snows. In addition, we will show you how to identify goggles suitable for snow and we will show you the best models on the market.

When it snows, is it necessary to wear sunglasses?

With a clear sky, sand can reflect between 10% and 25% of sunlight and water reflects 20%. However, snow is capable of reflecting 80% of sunlight. To give you an idea, subjecting your eyes to such an incidence of light is similar to looking directly at the sun. So you do need to wear sunglasses when it snows.

To top it off, with every 1,000 meters of altitude, the proportion of UV rays increases by 10%. Consequently, if it has snowed and you are at a considerable altitude without wearing goggles, your eyes can be seriously affected. But how bad can it be? Let's take a look:

Solar keratitis

Keratitis is an inflammation of the cornea, an area located in the most anterior part of the eye. The main cause of its appearance is high exposure to ultraviolet light, although it can also appear due to certain physical and organic agents.

Interestingly, it does not manifest itself immediately, but within 6 to 12 hours after exposure. Consequently, keratitis affects many, as it does not "alert" in any way, until it is too late.

It starts as a shooting pain. Then the eyes become irritated and there is excessive tearing. There is also usually difficulty in opening the eyes and intolerance to all types of light develops. Some people may experience severe headaches and temporary blindness.

On ophthalmological examination, small dot-like lesions may be seen in the epithelium, the outermost region of the cornea. If treated correctly, the lesions will close within a couple of days. Those who wear contact lenses should remove them immediately and wait for the ophthalmologist's instructions.

To prevent keratitis in snowy environments , it is essential to wear appropriate sunglasses that filter a good percentage of sunlight. Children and adolescents tend to be more affected, so it is worth investing a little more in their eye health.

But health doesn't just lie in the goggles when you're in a snowy environment. If you're going skiing, you'll need to carry several snow sports essentials with you.

What features should a pair of snow goggles have?

It's important to know that it's not enough to wear just any goggles, you have to wear snow goggles if you want them to protect you from ultraviolet light. Here are some characteristics that goggles suitable for use in the snow must have:

Proper lenses.

First of all, avoid plastic lenses because, even if they are very dark, they may not filter the light properly. In addition, they may become deformed with use, causing other problems such as dizziness, eye discomfort and optical aberrations.

Activity-based design

In terms of design, if you will use them for demanding physical activities, ideally they should be sporty. However, complying with this characteristic is not strictly necessary. Such is the case of Oakley OO9126 REEDMACE 912605 54, a casual and versatile model, whose lens is perfect for use when it snows.

Proper VTL

Another crucial and often overlooked factor is the color of the lens in relation to its LTV: a low LTV limits eye fatigue on sunny days, while a high LTV prioritizes color and depth perception in low light. Each shade has different properties. Analyze the activities you will be doing and choose the right color:

• The best choice for snowy, sunny days is silver, or mirror, lenses. This tint has a low VTL.
• If you want to increase the contrast to see better on sunny days, you can also choose dark gray, copper, dark brown and dark green.
• When it snows, it is advisable to wear yellow, amber or gold sunglasses, as they filter blue light, allowing you to identify obstacles in the snow.
• If the day is cloudy, copper, pink and light pink lenses will work great for you.
• If you will be wearing the glasses at sunset, we recommend using clear lenses, with a fairly high VLT.

How to identify sunglasses for snow?

Unreliable suppliers often offer products with fake features. In the case of snow sunglasses, they may be looking to sell you low quality items or ones that won't really protect you properly.

Warning of scams is crucial if you want to prevent eye diseases and avoid glare. So, here's how to identify authentic snow sunglasses. Take note:

Glass opacity.

First of all, you need to make sure that the goggles are dark enough to filter out UV rays. There is an opacity rating from 1 to 4, with 1 being very clear glass and 4 being very dark.

In snowy environments, category 4 lenses are recommended. This level is also effective in water or in areas where solar incidence is high and constant.

VLT filter

Earlier we talked about the importance of the color of the glass and the VLT (visible light transmission) filter. Make sure that the level is adequate by checking the label on the glasses. If there is no information there, it may be specified on one of the eyewear temples.

Information label

Quality glasses will always have a label with specific information about the lens. In this case, it is necessary that the label assures 100% UV protection. If the glasses you are considering purchasing do not have such a label, it is best to discard them.

Polarized lenses

This feature is not mandatory, but if you can get polarized glasses, you will greatly reduce the damage that sunlight can cause to your eyes. This type of technology reduces reflections caused by water, metal or snow and thus minimizes glare. We invite you to learn how polarized sunglasses work.

The best models of sunglasses for snow

You can't leave without knowing which are the best sunglasses for snow. In Optica Bassol we only offer top quality items. Below, you will see our personal recommendation.

Oakley OO9235 ENCODER STRIKE VENTED 923504 39

This is our customers' favorite model. It is a panoramic sports eyewear, Oakley brand. They offer additional eye protection and also have ventilation at the top to prevent fogging.

The measurements of the glasses are as follows: 39 mm gauge, 139 mm at the bridge and 123 mm at the temples. They are made of premium acetate, so they will withstand any fall in the snow.

You'll find them in several colors, the favorites of which are: multicolor glass with yellow frame, yellow glass with black frame, green glass with green frame and blue glass with green and blue frame.

Oakley OO9463 SUTRO LITE 946306 39

We're talking about the perfect model for skiing and snowboarding. They are square and cover a good part of the face, which helps to protect the skin and eyes against the cold. In addition, they offer very good visibility.

The measurements are as follows: 39 mm gauge, 139 mm at the bridge and 138 mm at the temples. The frame is made of high resistance injected acetate.

This variant is blue with black frame, but we also have them with yellow with black frame and dark gray glass with gray frame.

Bottega Veneta BV1167S 003 99

This model is also ideal for snow sports, but can also be used in motocross, downhill and other extreme sports. It has a pad on the inside of the frame, which prevents the entry of particles and wind.

These goggles are held firmly to the face, thanks to a strap that passes behind the head. They have a 99 mm gauge and a 1 mm bridge. The support strap is fully adjustable. The frame is made of injected acetate that will resist any impact and will also protect your face.

This particular model has gray mirrored lenses with green and black frame. We also have a variant with multicolored mirrored glass and green frame.

Maui Jim KAIWI CHANNEL B840-03S 63

These square polarized glasses will protect you perfectly from UV rays. It is a lightweight model, made of acetate and also looks great. Its measurements are 62 mm of caliber, 16 mm of bridge and 123 mm of temples.

They are available in four variants: blue, black, brown and black frame with red lenses.

In our catalog you will find the latest in fashion and utility, as well as good prices and versatile shipping options. Take advantage of our offers of up to 50% on selected products and, if you are in the peninsula, you can go to one of our opticians to have your eyesight checked.

Thank you for trusting us, we hope to see you soon!