Sunglasses with shatterproof lenses can help keep your eyes safe on the trail. Shown are Oakley Fives from Oakley (www.oakley.com). Photo courtesy of Heidi Nyland.
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Fall brings cooler
temperatures, but the sun’s rays can be strong in any season. Too much sun can
literally burn your eyes over time on the trail, causing damage to your cornea (the part that transmits light) and your lens (the part of your eye that helps you focus), and
causing long-term problems, such as cataracts.
To keep your eyes safe from
rays while you ride on the trail with your horse, The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends wearing
sunglasses that block out at least 99 percent of ultraviolet
rays (the invisible rays that burn
your skin) and at least 90 percent of infrared
rays (the invisible rays that produce
heat). Look for polarized lenses to cut down on glare, especially if you ride
near water, to make it easier to see. Also make sure your sunglasses are made from shatterproof plastic lenses-those that meet the American National Standards Institute's Z87. 1 standards. These lenses won't break into the small, sharp, eye-damaging pieces in the event of a fall or other impact.
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