Sunglasses not only for a sense of style. There are many benefits to wearing sunglasses. Wearing sunglasses can save our eyes from Cataracts, Pingueculas, Pterygium, and Photokeratitis problems. These problems occur when the suns UVB rays harm our eyes. As a precaution, especially for those in the sun all day, everyone should use sunglasses.
Why are sunglasses vital for lifeguards?
As an example, lifeguards have to often work in the sun for very long periods of time. For that reason, choosing polarized sunglasses is the best option to protect your eyes from the sun's harmful rays. Lifeguards need to protect their eyes from Cataracts, Pingueculas, Pterygium, and Photokeratitis problems.
A Cataract is a condition that affects the eyes and causes clouding of the lens. It is a gradual progression of vision loss and can, if not treated, result in vision loss. It is often surgically treated.
Pingueculas are small, raised patches in your eye that grow close to your cornea. It forms when the tissue changes and creates a bump. The change is mostly due to long sun exposure, which degenerates the elastin fibers within the conjunctival tissue. There is no cure, but medications can be prescribed for the redness and irritation, or the bumps can be surgically removed.
Pterygium is a growth of the mucous membrane that covers the white part of your eye and grows over the cornea. It's caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. It is more common in people who live in warm climates and people who spend a lot of time outdoors in the sun or wind.
Photokeratitis (ultraviolet keratitis) is the equivalent to a bad sunburn on you eye AND IS caused by too much exposure of insufficiently protected eyes to UV rays. It is also sometimes called Snow Blindness. Ointments and eye drops help with the recovery, but it generally takes up to 72 hours for the eyes to recover on their own.
Glare is a great hinderance of clear vision. Glare created from sunlight on the surface of the water and reflected back into your eyes can affect your general vision. Only polarizing sunglasses can reduce this glare. Sunglasses can also protect the eyes from dust. There are small dust particles that we can't see and that our eyelashes don't prevent from entering our eyes, especially when the wind is blowing. Sunglasses can prevent this as the wind will not be able to blow directly into the eyes. A lifeguard has to work in bright light and high-temperature conditions. Sunglasses are especially necessary for an ocean lifeguard. It all depends on your working environment.
How to choose your sunglasses
Be careful when it comes to choosing sunglasses for working environments, whether it be in the water park, ocean, office or outdoor pool.
For a lifeguard there are some points to picking out the perfect sunglasses. Their most vital point is the UV rays protection, glare-reduction and polarized sunglasses.
1. Try to choose amber, grey. green, & brown color lenses. As these are the better protection lenses for UV rays and glare.
2. Look for sunglasses that protect the eyes from wind, dust and sunlight.
3. Taka a wrap-around and close-fitting frames not an oversized sunglasses.
4. Try get an anti-fog lens. As this will come in handy on the job.
When it comes to the attire of the lifeguard, there is no question that a lifeguard's sunglasses are vitally important. While there are going to be exceptions where it is not necessary for a lifeguard to wear sunglasses, but this is more of an exception, than anything resembling a rule. In the vast majority of situations and locations, the sun is an aspect of lifeguard work that must be considered on numerous levels, protection being the first priority.
One such level involves the potential of the sun to interfere with the lifeguard duties. If you are unable to see a casualty in danger, it becomes a major issue. Understanding this shows why lifeguards need to wear sunglasses.
There is no question that while sunglasses serve an extremely important function, in terms of lifeguard duties, this doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate the way sunglasses lend one a certain sense of style.
Remember that lifeguards have to spend a number of consistent hours in the sun. This is why lifeguards must always wear sunscreen but must also make sure your eyes are suitably protected as well. You may also want sunglasses that allow you to perform your duties more efficiently. Polarized sunglasses can be enormously effective on that front, allowing you to see through the glare without pain. It will be easier to maintain awareness when you're able to see without the sun's interference. Your sunglasses should be comfortable. After all, you are more than likely to be wearing them for several hours.
