Living in the beautiful Okanagan Valley means endless opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you’re hiking Knox Mountain, boating on Okanagan Lake, or simply enjoying a patio lunch downtown, our region’s abundant sunshine is one of our greatest assets. But the same sunshine that makes Kelowna so appealing can pose risks to your eye health if you’re not properly protected.

Most people understand that UV rays can damage their skin, but fewer realize that sun damage to eyes is equally concerning. Your eyes are sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, and unlike your skin, they don’t develop a protective tan. Every time you step outside without proper UV eye protection, you’re exposing your eyes to potentially harmful radiation.

Our region makes this a year-round concern. The Okanagan’s high altitude intensifies UV exposure, and reflective surfaces like snow, water, and sand can bounce up to 85% of UV rays back toward your eyes, essentially a double dose. Significant UV radiation reaches your eyes even on cloudy days.

UV damage isn’t always immediately apparent, which makes it particularly dangerous. In the short term, excessive exposure can cause photokeratitis, essentially a sunburn on your cornea. This painful condition brings burning, tearing, and the feeling of sand in your eyes. You might experience it after a day of skiing at Big White, where it’s often called snow blindness, or after a long afternoon on the lake without sunglasses. Over the long term, chronic UV exposure significantly increases your risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and even certain types of eye cancer. Research shows that cumulative UV damage over your lifetime can lead to vision loss that could have been prevented.

Not all sunglasses are created equal, and when it comes to protecting your vision, quality matters immensely. Cheap sunglasses from convenience stores often provide little to no UV protection despite their dark lenses. In fact, they can be worse than wearing nothing at all, because they cause your pupils to dilate and allow more harmful rays in. Quality sunglasses should block 99-100% of both UVA and UVB rays, so look for labels that specifically state “UV 400” or “100% UV protection.” Polarized lenses are an excellent addition, reducing glare from water and snow, and fit matters too: wraparound styles offer the best coverage by preventing UV rays from sneaking in around the sides of the frames.

Your eyesight is irreplaceable, and protecting it from UV damage should be as automatic as applying sunscreen. Quality sunglasses aren’t just a fashion accessory, they’re essential medical equipment for anyone spending time outdoors in our beautiful region.

At Visionology Optometry, we’re committed to helping you maintain healthy vision throughout your life. Our team can help you select UV eye protection that suits your lifestyle and activities, so you can keep enjoying everything the Okanagan has to offer.

See you at the lake; sunglasses on.

Dr. Nancy Friessen