Sunburn of the eye isn’t something you see, let alone hear about every day, but 35% of you guys are unaware that eyes can get a sunburn too. Wowza! You really need to get out more. Just kidding of course, but instead of scarring you with disturbing images(nightmare inducing) of this painful condition, we’ll throw at you one recommendation to avoid it period – polycarbonate sunglass lenses. Besides being lightweight and durable, this option for sunglasses offers the best coverage for your eyes with 100% UVA/UVB protection.

NASA Approved

Polycarbonate, polycarb if you want sound techie, is a material made up of thermoplastic polymers. Basically, it’s a plastic that can be easily molded into any given shape. As it turns out, the material was first used to shield the far-travelling eyes of NASA astronauts, and now it’s very popular amongst most leading sunglass brands – especially ones that gear towards children, sports enthusiasts, and active people because of the capability for high performance & needed protection.

These magical lenses turn sunglasses into a lightweight accessory with 100% UV protection. Surprisingly, not all plastic lenses can guarantee 100% UV Protection because their rate of absorption can be as low as 40%. This means that far too many harmful rays are hitting your eyes directly because the lens is passing them through. Your eyes will find better protection with a more trusted lens option like polycarbonate lenses.

Not only is this type of lens lightweight, but also safer and more durable the other lens options. In some cases it can be up to 10x more impact resistant than regular plastic or glass. Now THAT is protection we want to have on our heads. Often used by athletes, polycarbonate lenses keep eyes safe from harm AND have the potential to offer visual acuity and sharpness to help eyes perform.

Finding the right brand that uses polycarbonates is important because even though they have the potential, it doesn’t mean ALL sunglasses are built to help your eyes excel and stay protected. Both Dick’s Sporting Goods and The Sports Authority are great stores that offer a variety of quality styles and brands.

To keep your eyes and eyelids protected from the harsh effects of UV radiation, slip on a pair of protective sunglasses with polycarbonate lenses. Let your eyes rest healthy and happy knowing that they are behind a durable & quality material that will get the job done.

Images: Hobie Polarized | The History Blog

In case you missed the memo, the sun shines all year! You heard right, all year long. This means that those damaging UV rays we often become  comfortable with, are also creeping in during the colder months. While we  often bundle up to keep us warm during hibernation season, our eyes are still directly under the sun’s scrutiny.

To show you how vital it is to protect your eyes year round, we’re listing out the top 5 reasons to keep shades on throughout the year.

1) Cold weather doesn’t leave your eyes safe from UV radiation, snow can actually double your exposure.

In certain parts of the U.S., the winter months skew lower UV levels. Although this doesn’t mean we are exempt from harmful rays, because highly reflective surfaces like water and snow can actually increase exposure. Snow in particular can almost double your exposure!

2) Sun burn on your eyes IS possible. Ouch!

Skin isn’t the only thing susceptible to damage from the sun. Eye sunburn will leave a painful and not so pretty mark on your face. Even if you think you’re in the clear from it, sun exposure over time can accumulate to much worse – cataracts & macular degeneration to name a few.

3) Who likes the effects of aging anyway? Squinting your eyes excessively (the result of no shades!) can ultimately lead to more wrinkles.

Constant squinting can cause the delicate skin around your eyes to wrinkle and create fine lines. You can simply avoid this by treating your eyes to a good pair of shades. Polarized shades give an added benefit by reducing the glare that bounces off of water, the road, and other reflective surfaces. Once you start wearing polarized shades, your eyes will feel like they are on a permanent vacation. Some great polarized brands to try include Hobie Polarized, Kaenon, & Maui Jim.

4) Going blind at 60 just won’t work.

You can lower your risk of Macular degeneration (it’s as scary as it sounds) by wearing shades with 100% UVA/UVB protection.

5) Protect not just your eyeballs, but your lids as well.

Choose a pair of sunglasses that wrap closer to your face. This will ensure less rays passing through the top  and sides of your sunglasses and allows for  better protection of both your eyes & lids. Believe it or not, eye lids are just as important to protect as your eyes because they are unfortunately susceptible to skin cancer and other diseases.

Take these reasons with you when thinking about sun protection ~ Don’t ever underestimate the power of a good sunglass.

Images | flickr

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out their eyewear, courtesy of Hobie Polarized

Tip #1 – Your Shadow Knows Best

When trying to gauge how strong the UV Index is on a given day, a good tip is to look at your shadow. If your shadow is taller than you (usually in the early AM and late afternoon) then UV levels are lower. If your shadow is shorter than you (peak hours) you are being exposed to high UV Radiation levels.

Tip #2 – Combat After-Beach Sleepiness with Dark Sunglasses

While it’s true different sunglass tints can help you perform better under certain conditions, a main feature across all colors is that darker lenses decrease eye strain. Straining your eyes for a long period of time, say while your lounging on the beach, will have you feeling more tired than normal.

Tip #3 – Soothe that Sunburn with Tea Bags!

If you happen to forget your shades while outdoors, be careful not to get a sunburn on your eyelids. If you unfortunately do burn your lids, try rubbing aloe vera directly around your eyes or placing cool tea bags over them to relieve the pain. Ouch!

Tip #4 – Quality Matters with Sunglasses

When purchasing sunglasses, beware of lesser quality brands! Cheaper materials used by inferior sunglasses can sometimes downgrade your UV protection to only 40%. A brand like Hobie Polarized offers the popular polycarbonate lenses, which guarantee 100% protection from harmful UV rays.

Images | flickr

1. The Unique Leopard Print Cat-Eye

These fun and sassy shades from Rich and Famous Eyewear are sure to make a statement and give every outfit that wow factor. The unique cat-eye shape gives the vintage style a more modern flair. With G-15 polarized lenses, squinting your eyes to block out the powerful sun becomes a thing of the past. These shades will soon become your everyday go-to pair.

Available for just $38, these Limited Edition Purple Reign Collection sunglasses are guaranteed not to disappoint. And they even come with a stylish bag and carrying case – perfect to store your shades during class after sporting them on the way.

2. The Classic Aviator

No woman can have a complete sunglass collection without a pair of aviators, but who needs to spend over $100 on a pair when you can get them for under $20? These simple aviators, on sale for just $16.96 from Sunglass Warehouse, have a sleek silver frame with mirrored lenses.

With a basic design, they are very versatile and go with practically any outfit. And they’re super comfortable with a lightweight metal frame. The mirrored, polarized lenses provide UV400 protection, offering full sun protection while preventing glare.

3. The Customizable Sophisticate

These fashionable Crocs™ sunglass frames are not only timeless and trendy, they also are customizable with their interchangeable hinge system. Utilizing the size two hinge packs, these shades allow you to swap arms, hinges and faces to create a look that is all your own. With their eco-friendly polarized lenses and 100% UV protection, your eyes will be out of harm’s way.

If you’re looking for an individualistic pair of sunglasses, check out these Crocs™, available in shiny black/satin black, shiny crystal plum/citrus and shiny crystal brown fade (as pictured). For just $39.99, you can have a completely unique pair of sunglasses with the freedom to change it up with your changing moods.

4. The Funky Statement Frames

These fun frames are sure to make a statement with their fierce flame color, which can provide a burst of energy to any outfit needing a little “spicing up!” The boxy style is timeless, yet futuristic in appearance. The “moment shades” have acetate frames made with removable plastic lenses.

And even better? These sunglasses are on sale for just $39.99 at Madewell.com. Add a little spring to your step with these bright orange shades!

With less than $40 left to spare, you can purchase a pair of quality shades sure to impress your new and old college friends. Make sunglasses a priority on your back-to-school shopping list. And if you pick one of these sensational brands, it’s a decision you won’t regret.

This feature was written by Liz Stratman, managing editor at College Gloss, an onine fashion and trends magazine. Written by and for college women, College Gloss is your source for college fashion inspiration, beauty tips, relationship advice, delicious recipes, decorating ideas, career resources and college lifestyle articles. Founded in 2011 by Stephany Fan, College Gloss is now completely managed and written by a fabulous team of volunteer college and recent graduate editors, writers and social media contributors. College Gloss aims to empower college women to become leaders in their community by providing an online space just for college women, supplying relevant articles and advice and creating opportunities for college women to become leaders both online and on campus. Visit www.collegegloss.com to check out the latest articles and find out how you can get involved.

By: Liz Stratman | Images: WeHeartIt.com, Rich and Famous Eyewear, Sunglass Warehouse, Crocs™, Madewell

Maybe a car wash would be better for these shades.

In an effort to take better care of my shades, I decided to do a little research on the best practices to cleaning sunglass lenses. My search skewed over 17 Million results (thanks Google), but what I first learned was how NOT to clean your glasses:

1. Huff, Puff & Wipe - This method, often performed by my grandparents, is basically when you breathe heavily onto your lenses, then pull out your sleeve or the bottom of your shirt and wipe away. Well guess what, you’ve just ruined your shirt. Do you really want to wipe all that lovely grime onto your shirt? Even if you DO, any abrasive fabrics (i.e. polyester & lycra) can wear away any protective coatings and scratch them up.
2. Maybe A Little Spray Will Help - Clorox wipes and Windex aren’t going to solve all your clean up problems, especially since they contain some pretty harsh chemicals. These chemicals can wipe away your sunglass coatings (and wear away any painted on logos).
3. That’s What Napkins Are For - Your dinner napkins aren’t going to help solve the issue either. Paper napkins can leave behind lint and paper fragments, and fabric napkins are most likely made out of polyester. This fabric is just not sunglass friendly (See #1).
4. Who Needs Moisture Anyway - When you are cleaning properly (see below) make sure you using a damp cloth, if not running water to clean. Otherwise you can trap dirt particles while rubbing them into your lens. It’s always best to give your shades a quick rinse before starting to wipe.

One fingerprint too many…

Too much information? Then just remember how to CORRECTLY clean your sunglasses:

Rinse them under water, use a little soap (make sure it’s ammonia free), and rub them dry in small circular motions with a soft microfiber cloth. Microfiber is the best material to clean glasses because it is soft  and won’t leave behind lint or scratch the surface of the glass.

Now this is more like it!

Don’t underestimate a nice sunglass case either! Just because you now know how to clean them, you still need to protect them from getting dinged up from keys and other sharp objects.

Our vision of a win isn’t necessarily defined by performance on the course, rather we equal it to a shared affinity for performance eyewear. Tried and tested, Hunter Mahan’s Under Armour UA Drive sunglasses were meant for golfers like you. With features that help give a competitive edge, like enhanced ArmourSight vision and true color recognition, you can rely on your eyes to deliver an accurate portrayal of the hole ahead.

To celebrate this weekend’s PGA Championships, we are giving away a pair of UA Drive, along with an autographed photo, EACH time Hunter makes a birdie.

Follow us on TWITTER to see the winners posted throughout the weekend!

Fill out the form below to Enter to Win – Good Luck!