Protect your eyes!

No, this will not be some joke about David Hasselhoff. This is serious stuff!

Why is it that everyone knows that when you got out in the sun you have to protect your skin, but no one worries about their eyes? If you spend time on the sun you will put on sunblock, but you might not always wear something to protect your eyes.

No matter how you look at it, the sun pours harmful UV rays on the Earth. Whether or not you believe in the hole in the Ozone layer, you must agree that nearly anyone can get burned to crisp in the hot summer sun. Last week a news report came out suggesting that you can help preserve your eyesight by wearing some sort of UV protection, such as sunglasses, ALL YEAR LONG. Right, all year. Some people seem the think that the sun is less strong during the winter. But I remember from my childhood walking indoors after being out in the bright summer sun and having to wait quite a while for my eyes to adjust. (I believe the rule of thumb is that it takes a full half hour for your eyes to adjust from bright light to darkness, but that's something else.)

So please keep this in mind, and keep a pair of shades handy for those sunny days. Your eyes will appreciate it!