Sun, Surf, and Sunglasses: Why Protective Eyewear is a Miami Essential
As a coastal city, the weather in Miami is overwhelmingly sunny and warm year-round.
Walk around the city, and you’ll most likely come across locals with sunglasses perched on their faces to protect their eyes from the glaring sunlight.
This is in line with experts' advice for locals to be prepared, given that the weather in Miami will only get hotter and pose potential health risks like sunburns and dehydration.
Considering these climate developments, sunnies function more than stylish accessories in the Miami scene. What benefits do sunglasses provide?
Aside from providing protection from wind and debris, sunglasses are most notable for their protective qualities against sun exposure.
After all, there are huge concerns over ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is a form of non-ionizing radiation primarily emitted by the sun.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UV exposure can even cause serious issues like skin cancer.
Furthermore, there is also an increased risk of developing potentially blinding eye diseases such as corneal damage, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Sunglasses help protect the eyes because of their tinted lenses, which can block out 100% of UV rays.
Some also feature polarized lenses, which are designed to reduce glare from smooth surfaces like water or hot roads.
This helps combat eyestrain and prevents squinting by limiting the amount of light entering your eyes and preventing damage to your vision.
Of course, despite all these benefits, sunglasses are not touted as the only means of protection a person should rely on.
Alongside eyewear, most health experts also recommend consistent use of sunscreen and sun-protective clothing made out of materials like polyester and high-quality cotton to cover wide areas of skin and avoid skin damage from UV exposure. Why is protective eyewear integral to Miami specifically?
Even without the aforementioned heatwave, Miami is known as a sunny paradise where the weather can reach up to 90°F in the summer.
In line with this, some reports list Florida among the top states where individuals are highly vulnerable to the development of diseases and health conditions linked to UV radiation, such as melanoma.
Contrary to popular belief that melanoma is limited to the skin, this type of cancer can also develop in the eyes. Considering Miami’s geographical position and locals' vulnerability to UV exposure, the importance of protective clothing and accessories to combat the effects of the harsh sun cannot be overstated.
In fact, the Vision Council emphasizes the importance of wearing sunglasses in places like Miami, as only 72% of adults regularly wear the appropriate eyewear.
This can pose long-term risks to as the city can reach extreme levels on the UV index.
Primarily, this is because the state is located near the equator, where the sun is most directly overhead and can emit stronger rays.
This is why protective eyewear like sunglasses are integral to Miami culture.
Not only does it look stylishly fitting against the tropical backdrop of the city, but sunglasses help preserve your eye health by protecting against UV radiation. Finding your Miami-perfect sunglasses
That said, not all sunglasses are made the same.
While the popularity of sunglasses makes it easy to find a pair in most stores, it’s important to find the best ones for your lifestyle.
In Miami, this often means having a flattering pair of beach sunglasses that keeps you stylishly sea-ready while protecting your eyes from the harsh sunlight.
For example, eyewear brand Costa Del Mar highlights its advanced polarized lens technology that can be worn with its trendy collections like its Del Mar line, which is inspired by ocean life.
Their polarized lenses block out excess rays so you can see more clearly and vividly whether you're by the beach or by the city center. Furthermore, given the coastal nature of Miami, it's important to find frames that can keep up with the elements.
To illustrate, the same brand above has a Metals collection that offers lightweight frames made of corrosion-resistant titanium, making it perfect against seawater.
If you want to follow the latest trends, you can also try going for eco-friendly sunglasses made from sustainable and eco-friendly materials like bamboo or recycled plastic.
Brands like Moken, for instance, feature completely biodegradable sunglasses that can even be composted.
Such green eyewear is a fashionable and respectful nod to the nature that surrounds Miami.
No matter what frame styles you pick, it’s important to get ones that complement your outfits and protect you from UV radiation under the Miami sun. By wearing stylish sunglasses that also protect your eyes, you can be more comfortable even as you take a dip in some of the best pools around Miami or catch some waves along the shoreline.
As long as you have your Miami-perfect sunglasses, you’ll always have a protective layer against the sun while you indulge in what The Magic City has to offer.