As the weather begins to break after a cold winter, many of us are looking forward to outdoor activities. Maybe you're ready to get your yard in top shape, enjoy a favorite sport or launch your boat on the lake in search of the big one. Whatever the activity, it's important to remember to protect one of your most valued assets, your eyes. Jeff Harris, assistant clinical professor of ophthalmology, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine and Scott & White Eye Institute, shares how protective eyewear can help keep your eyes safe.
One of the most important roles of eyewear is that of ultraviolet (UV) protection. UV light risk and exposure increases during the spring and summer months and has been linked to several ocular diseases including cataracts, pterygia and macular degeneration. Cataract formation involves the loss of clarity of the crystalline lens within the eye. A pteryigum is the development of a calloused area that extends onto the cornea and can obscure vision. Macular degeneration causes a breakdown of the portion of the retina that is responsible for central vision. The result is a reduction in the ability to distinguish details. It is the leading cause of vision loss in people older than 65.
Ultraviolet protection does not necessarily mean that a lens has to be tinted. Clear lenses can protect from harmful UV rays. Many of the newer lightweight lens materials have inherent UV protective abilities while some traditional glass and plastic lenses may need to have a clear UV protectant added. Lenses should be labeled as 100% UV protection and should block all levels of UV light.
While UV protection is not dependent on tint, lens color can help improve performance during an activity. For example, many shooters prefer a yellow or orange tint to help improve the contrast of their target. A brown or amber tint can help improve the contrast between a baseball or golf ball and the sky, making it easier to see the ball, especially on overcast days. Dark gray offers truer colors and can provide more comfort on bright sunny days. Polarized lenses filter distracting glare reflected from water, wet streets or the hood of a car. Some manufacturers offer frames that have interchangeable lenses to make it more convenient to use different tints for different purposes.
In addition to protecting your eyes from damaging UV light, proper eyewear also protects your eyes from foreign objects. Weed-eaters, lawn mowers and other power tools can propel objects at high rates of speed into your eyes. Sporting activities also impose risk to the eye. Flying fishhooks from fellow anglers have caught many an eye. Low-hanging branches striking eyes can quickly take a mountain biker off the trail. Insects in the eye can incapacitate a motorcyclist.
Choosing protective eyewear that fits your needs and tastes is important, as you'll be much more likely to actually wear the protective gear if you like how it looks and feels. But, look and feel aren't the only important factors you should consider. The eyewear must also be made of durable material that will provide you with the protection you need.
Protective lenses or shields should be made from an impact-resistant material. Polycarbonate is the most impact-resistant material on the market, has the advantage of being lightweight and can be made thinner than other materials of similar protective ability. Lenses should cover an area larger than the eye itself and preferably wrap along the sides of the temple to prevent debris or UV light from entering the eye from an open area along the sides or from above. Keeping lenses free from scratches and debris will help protect the protective properties of the lenses. Frames should be sturdy, fit securely and, if possible, be adjustable for an even better fit.
While it may be tempting to save a few dollars by purchasing eyewear when you pay for your gas, those products generally have inferior optics, durability and protection. Cheaply made eyewear may be better than no protection, but you should consider going to an eye care professional where a certified optician can help you select eyewear that will provide you with the greatest protection.
Wearing quality eye protection will help keep you enjoying those outdoor activities for many years to come. 
This article is provided as a courtesy by the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Scott & White Eye Institute and Scott & White Department of Ophthalmology. For questions about your eye care needs, contact your health care provider.
H.E.A.D.s Up is a monthly column that features articles on a wide array of Health, Exercise And Diet issues. Information for these articles is provided by health and wellness professionals from throughout the A&M System. If you have questions or story ideas for this column, email Ruth McMullan.