By Denis Langlois

 

Winter makes its annual debut on Dec. 21.

And, while most people associate the next few months with less daylight and longer nights and less sun and more grey skies, it’s vital that the optical industry continues harping on the message that Canadians should be wearing sunglasses all year long.

Experts say about 85 per cent of the sun’s ultraviolet rays are reflected by the snow, which most Canadian communities receive in abundance.

That means all those rays make it back into our eyes and can also cause glare, making it trickier to see the roadways and trails that lie ahead.

The Canadian Association of Optometrists says overexposure to UV rays has been linked to a variety of eye problems, including cataracts, which currently affects about 3.2 million Canadians.

Overexposure to UV can also lead to age-related macular degeneration, eyelid skin cancer, corneal sunburns, age spots and tissue growths on the surface of the eye, the CAO says.

The good news is that there is also an abundance of sunglasses to choose from in the Canadian marketplace.

Companies have designed shades for pretty much every face shape, style and personality.

With that in mind, here are some bright and cheery shades that are perfect for making a statement during the shorter summer days ahead.