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Welcome to autumn. There’s no mistaking the changing of seasons is upon us.

Our mornings and evenings are getting cooler, and an autumn rain season is bringing us more overcast days. It’s true that the long, sunny days of summer are likely behind us, but that’s no excuse to retire your sunglasses until spring.

It’s important to protect your eyes all year long, and this is just the right time of year to remember why.

Appropriate sunglasses can be a shield from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, and they protect our eyes from cataracts, macular degeneration and other eye problems.

Regardless of the weather, the sun transmits UV rays. Even on overcast days, UV rays reach our eyes. As fall transitions to winter, we can expect snow and ice, which reflect UV rays and allow them to hit our eyes twice.

Think of wearing sunglasses like you think of applying sunscreen. They block the same harmful rays that cause sunburn and skin cancer.

When we don’t shield our eyes, UV rays get absorbed by our corneas and lenses, leaving our eyes at risk for sun damage. Sunglasses lower that risk by blocking UV rays, but they have other benefits, including:

Keeping debris out of our eyes

Protecting against cataracts

Reducing sun-related headaches

Lowering our risk of developing skin cancer

Reducing the likelihood of macular degeneration

Preventing wrinkles and sun damage to the skin

There are some helpful tips when shopping for sunglasses that will properly protect your eyes, and opting for more a more expensive pair isn’t always the right choice.

Even relatively inexpensive varieties of sunglasses can block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. To find a pair that offers the most protection, consider the following factors when shopping.

Compare UV protection.

Dark lenses doesn’t necessarily mean better defense from the sun. You’ll want to check the label to determine the level of protection offered by a pair of sunglasses. Look for a label that displays “UV400 protection.” UV400 means the lenses provide 100 percent UV protection.

Know what you’re buying.

Polarized sunglasses are a popular item that reduce glare and can be helpful while driving, but not all polarized lenses block UV rays. If you want the added benefit of polarized lenses, make sure you buy a pair that also offers UV protection.

Find a proper fit.

The more your frames cover your face, the better. Larger, close-fitting sunglasses will protect your eyes from all angles and minimize UV damage.

Ask about a prescription.

For those of us who need both sun protection and vision correction, there are prescription sunglasses. If prescription sunglasses are an option you want to explore, ask about them during your next eye exam.

Finding a pair of sunglasses that suits you best can take some time, so don’t get frustrated if the first pair you choose isn’t ideal. Protecting your eyes is worth the effort, and remember, you can always consult your primary care physician or your eye doctor if you need some helpful advice.

Oh, and by the way, the wardrobe of sunglasses that my grand daughters use for dress-up, including the heart shaped ones AND the pair with the enormous, sparkle covered unicorns are, surprisingly, UV blocking. What do you know?

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Dr. Alfred Casale, a cardiothoracic surgeon, is chief medical officer for surgical services for Geisinger and chair of the Geisinger Heart Institute. Readers may write to him via [email protected].