I tell all my patients to be extra careful in the summer to protect the delicate eyelid skin. This means hat and sunglasses any time you are outside. Here are some great tips for choosing the right pair of sunglasses:

• Wear 100 % UV protective sunglasses. UV protection information should be printed on the hangtag or price sticker of any sunglasses you buy, no matter where you buy themIf it isn’t, find a different pair. The glasses you buy should be marked “100% UV protection” or “UV 400 protection.” That means that the glasses protect your eyes from both UVA and UVB radiation.
• Lens color matters. Dark colors (brown/gray/green) are ideal for everyday use and most outdoor activities. Darker shades are intended primarily to cut through the glare and reduce eyestrain in moderate-to-bright conditions. Gray and green lenses won’t distort colors, while brown lenses may cause some minor distortion.
• Use polarized lenses to reduce glare in improve quality of vision. Polarized lenses substantially reduce glare. Polarization is a great feature if you enjoy water sports and will also cut down on eye fatigue.
• Consider a lens coating. These can include a hydrophobic coating to repel water, an anti-scratch coating to improve durability and an anti-fog coating for humid conditions or high-energy activities.
• Lens size should extend beyond your eyes, covering the skin below and to the sides of your eyes as well. Wraparound sunglasses are the best.