Sure, it’s cold out there, but that doesn’t mean that you should stow away your sunglasses during the cold winter months. The truth is, you still need sunglasses in cold weather, too. Without high-quality sunglasses, the sun’s rays may hurt your eyes. In fact, sunglasses are sometimes necessary in winter, no matter your climate!
For many of us, it’s easy to forget about those sunny days that occur throughout wintertime, even if they’re infrequent. And when you combine sun with snow, it can create massive reflective glare your eyes can’t escape. It’s double the exposure! If you’ve packed away your sunglasses with your summer gear, it’s time to bring them out for the sake of your sight.
6 Reasons to Wear Sunglasses in Winter
1. Winter Sun Glare
Ophthalmologists know the winter sun sits differently, which means more exposure to UV rays. This exposure can harm your eyes and may contribute to a range of vision problems, some of which are serious. Examples include macular degeneration and cataracts.
People who spend a lot of time outdoors are at particular risk, and eye care experts recommend sunglasses for these people. Also, those who drive in winter will benefit from sunglasses on bright days, as glare will come off snowbanks and icy roads.
Snow is highly reflective and reflects over seventy-five percent of the sun’s rays. Skiers and others who play in the snow should protect their eyes from the glare.
2. Reduce Glare and Eyestrain
When you step outside on a bright winter day after a fresh layer of snow falls, it can feel like you haven’t seen sunshine in years. The sheer glare can be downright painful, and your eyes may squint reflexively as they try to cope with all that light. Before you force your eyes to endure that strain, put on sunglasses to reduce the glare.
3. Harmful UV Rays
Just because the temperature has dropped doesn’t mean UV rays aren’t a risk. Those UV rays are still strong and can damage your eyes just as they can during the summertime. So when you choose sunglasses, make sure they protect your eyes from UVA and UVB rays.
4. Reduce Headaches
Headaches can be common when there’s too much reflective light. The double exposure and mirror-like effect snow and sun create can put a lot of stress on your eyes. As a result, headaches can often occur. If you’ve been experiencing more headaches in winter, consider that they could be caused by not wearing sunglasses when you go out in the sun.
5. Shield from Dust and Debris
Beyond the difficulty of seeing as your eyes adjust to all that glare, winter can whip up high winds and snowy blizzards in an instant. Sunglasses can shield your eyes and keep debris out, while still letting you see where you are going.
6. Sunglasses Prevent Snowblindness
You can actually sunburn your eyes, and sunglasses reduce the risk. Another term for sunburned eyes is snow blindness. This is something skiers and snowmobilers try to avoid. Outdoor enthusiasts who love winter activities know sunglasses are key to avoiding this condition. While “snowblindness” isn’t permanent, it can take a while to go away. Usually, it lasts about a week before it fades and your vision returns to normal.
Don’t make your eyes suffer during the winter. Just as you bundle up and protect your body when heading out the door, it’s important to include your eyes in that process as well. Before you head out on that sunny winter day, put on sunglasses to give them the protection they need!
Sunglasses for Winter Sports & Outdoor Activities
Bright sun on fresh snow adds up quickly when you are outside for hours. The right pair depends on what you’re doing.
Skiing and Snowboarding
UV gets stronger the higher you go, and the slopes bounce it right back up at you. Goggles or wraparound winter sports sunglasses with full UV protection are a must. Many skiers keep a darker lens for bluebird days and a rose or amber one for flat, overcast light, when bumps and ice are harder to spot.
Winter Hiking
Trails shift between shaded forest and open, snowy clearings, so photochromic lenses that darken and lighten on their own make a lot of sense. A wraparound frame also keeps the wind from drying out your eyes.
Winter Running
Anyone who’s run in January knows the problem: you exhale, and your glasses fog right up. Vented frames or an anti-fog coating help a lot. Pick a pair light enough that you forget you’re wearing it. And because winter runs often start before sunrise or finish after dark, you’ll probably get more use out of a lighter tint than a really dark one.
Winter Cycling
If you ride through the winter, your eyes take a beating. Cars kick up slush, the wind stings at speed, and salty grit seems to find its way everywhere. A wraparound frame that curves around the sides of your face blocks most of it. Photochromic lenses are handy too, since they adjust as you ride from bright, open streets into shade.
Sunglasses for Winter Driving & Specific Conditions
Best Sunglasses for Canadian Winter Driving
In Ottawa, the December sun barely clears the treeline during the morning and evening commute, which puts it right at windshield level. Grey or brown lenses keep colours true, so brake lights and traffic signals stay easy to read. Skip the darkest lenses (Category 4) – they let in too little light and aren’t meant for driving. Keeping a pair in the glove box means you’re never caught squinting.
Polarized Sunglasses for Winter
Polarized lenses cut the flat glare bouncing off wet roads, ice, and snowbanks, which makes them a favourite for driving and snowshoeing. One catch: they can make some dashboard displays and phone screens hard to read, so test them in your own car first.
Snow Sunglasses for Bright, Open Spaces
On a frozen lake or an open field after a snowfall, everyday fashion sunglasses often aren’t dark enough. A Category 3 lens with good side coverage is a safer bet for long days in bright snow.
Protect Your Eyes with Prescription Sunglasses
If you need vision correction, you can find prescription sunglasses from favourite designers like Ray-Ban and Oakley. For the vision protection you need in winter, stop by Laurier Optical Innes Eye Clinic in Orleans today. When you do, you can choose high-quality sunglasses and prescription styles if you want them.
There is really no substitute for the expert guidance and support that you’ll get at an eye clinic. That is why we recommend buying sunglasses in-store rather than ordering them online or picking them up at a department store.
When it comes to taking care of your eyes when the temperature drops, your best defence is sunglasses in winter – an eye care professional will be able to point you towards the most stylish and functional frames and lenses to protect your eyes. Contact us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people wear sunglasses in winter? Do you really need them?
Yes, you do. UV rays don’t take the winter off, and snow reflects much of that light back toward your eyes. Sunglasses also cut glare and block cold wind, which helps with the dry, watery eyes so many people get this time of year.
Is it weird to wear sunglasses in winter?
Not at all. On a bright morning after a snowfall, look around any Ottawa parking lot, and you’ll spot plenty of them. In winter, they’re about comfort and eye health as much as style.
Can sunglasses be left in a car in winter?
Yes. Cold temperatures generally won’t damage the lenses, but inexpensive plastic frames may become more brittle in extreme cold, so handle them with care. And don’t be surprised if they fog up briefly when you come back inside – the sudden change in temperature causes condensation to form on the lenses.
Can regular sunglasses be worn in the Arctic winter?
They will still provide some UV protection, but most everyday sunglasses aren’t designed for such harsh conditions. For trips to the far north, very dark wraparound sunglasses or glacier glasses with side shields offer better coverage. Plastic frames are also a better choice than metal, which can get painfully cold against your skin.