While sunglasses are often associated with warm summer weather, it's just as important to wear winter sunglasses for optimal eye health. Just because the wintertime is cold, doesn't mean the sun's harmful rays hibernate. In fact, in areas with snow, UV rays measure double – directly from the sun and then once again from the snow's reflecting glare. According to physicians, wintertime is actually one of the most critical times of year for people to wear sunglasses.

The following highlights the importance of wearing sunglasses year-round.

• Glare – Everyone has experienced it – wintertime's wet roadways coated with ice, water or snow. Often causing bright reflections, these can seriously impair drivers' vision. Many high-quality sunglasses are designed to reduce glare and help shield the eyes from damaging UV rays. Polarized lenses offer glare-blocking capabilities, allowing wearers to experience clearer vision.
• UV Rays – Doctors have found a direct correlation to long-term exposure to UV rays and the development of cataracts. While cataracts form as the eye ages, the development can rapidly be accelerated by unnecessary sun exposure. It's important to purchase sunglasses that offer protection against UVA, UVB and UVC sunrays. These also help protect the delicate tissue around the eye, which can cause premature lines and wrinkles.
• Protection – Often times the winter months are plagued by wind and rainstorms. To help alleviate loss of eye moisture and help keep eyes comfortable, sunglasses can protect contact lenses from drying out, prevent particles from entering the eye and causing scratches; it also helps protect against injuries sustained from dust, wind and other forms of debris.
• Reducing Eyestrain and Headaches – The eye's pupil is designed to restrict light, which is what makes it dilate. The larger the pupil, the darker the lighting conditions. In some extremely bright conditions, such as those where water or snow are reflecting twice the amount of light, the pupil is not able to constrict as much as needed. This causes the facial muscles to squint, which can ultimately cause eyestrain and headaches. To help control the amount of light that enters the eyes, it's best to wear sunglasses, as these help reduce the overall amount of light, which prevents eye fatigue.
• Improved Vision – While too much light is bad for eye health, too little light is just as damaging. Glare causes reduced visual acuity, essentially bleaching the retinas. For optimal UV protection and clarity, it's best to invest in sunglasses that offer necessary protection from the elements.

Olympic Eyewear offers a variety of sunglasses that are ideal for winter conditions. X-Loop sunglasses provide optimal protection for sports enthusiasts, as they boast a durable shape and feature polarized lenses. With wholesale sunglasses pricing, retailers can afford to carry an assortment of sunglasses' brands, including Chopper sunglasses, Biohazard sunglasses and Wayfarer sunglasses, to name a few.