Why use sunglasses?

Question

I mean, mankind has been living over 50,000 years without any protection for their eyes. Why should we need one now?

I mean, mankind has been living over 50,000 years without any protection for their eyes. Why should we need one now?
Edit: I agree, while driving it's pretty comfortable.
But I'd like to be told why the Egyptians haven't all died of cancer whule building their pyramids then, mh? Aren't we going too far with protections? I mean, the more we protect ourselves against small aggressions, the more we're vulnerable as soon as we lose these protections... don't you think?

Answer 1

Glare.

Humans now travel hundreds of times faster than any creature can because they are propelled by enormous forces never before generated by nature. Under such circumstances, it is critically important to see things, and polarized lenses eliminate glare which would otherwise wash out the detail and even momentarily blind someone.

Sunglasses have been used for thousands of years. People living above the arctic circle wear wooden goggles with tiny slits carved into them. The narrow slit acts like a dark lens and cuts down on glare. This makes hunting on snow easier. Of course, it also helps hunters avoid polar bears. They are white, and could easily be accidently approached if the glare is too great.

Sunglasses can also prevent people from getting arrested. Many 20th century jazz musicians were frequent users of illegal narcotics. Some drugs dialate the pupils of the eyes. Besides making it painful to preform under bright stagelights, the police learned to recognize the fact the glassy stare indicated a person was using drugs. Thus, many performers wore sunglasses whenever in public. It eventually became a cultural icon - wearing sunglasses at night was associated with a certain amount of sophistication. Musicians like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles were simply blind and wore sunglasses to avoid unintentionally staring at people.

Answer 2

I agree with Reese. Mankind has not been living to the ages of 75 and beyond for 50,000 years. The guys building the pyramids probably didn't make it past 30.

Also, the lighter your eye color, the more important it is to wear sunglasses. Darker eyes, just like darker skin don't need as much protection from the sun as light eyes and lighter skin.

Answer 3

the lighter your eye color, the more important it is to wear sunglasses. Darker eyes, just like darker skin don't need as much protection from the sun as light eyes and lighter skin.
Sunglasses can also protect you from UVA, UVb and UVC rays that can damage your retina. Your retina is very well sensitive to light. THat is why your parents tell you not to look at the sun directly or not too watch too much of television.


Sunglasses have been used for thousands of years. People living above the arctic circle wear wooden goggles with tiny slits carved into them. The narrow slit acts like a dark lens and cuts down on glare. This makes hunting on snow easier. Of course, it also helps hunters avoid polar bears. They are white, and could easily be accidently approached if the glare is too great.

Answer 4

Sunglasses are really not needed if its UV rays your worried about. UV rays does not actually cause cancer... its the sunsceen lotion that your using. Many africans are in the sun all day and not many have skin cancer but the US does. Also, the sun provides vitamin D that your eyes need, while sunglasses prevent them. The only use I can think for them is that they look cool while wearing them.

Answer 5

Two reasons:
* The damage is cumulative. People are living longer and thus it is prudent to protect your eyes. You will need them longer. (50K. Yr.s ago, median life expectancy was in the '30`s.)

* The ozone layer is thinning. More UV is getting down to us.

(BTW. Various cultures in areas where glare is severe have developed forms of eye protection.
eg. the slit snow goggles of the inuit.)

Answer 6

Shades are very essential thing to all of us which is help to increase style and look. Especially, wooden shades are useful as compare to another. Its probably helpful to protect your eyes from harmful germs and any side effects.That's why wooden shades are better to use. I think, when you use it, its helpful for you.

Answer 7

A relatively recent development in the eye-wear arena, sunglasses with wooden frames are unique and stand out from the rest but are highly breakable. Wear with style and looks for those Guys who think they’re just a little bit cooler than they actually are.

Answer 8

You wear them so you can save your eyesight for a lifetime. Cataracts, macular degeneration as we get older comes a lot from the sun. Back then, people didn't live long enough to lose their eyesight (20-30 years only).

It's all a process of adapting to live longer as our life expectencies have been getting higher.

Answer 9

Because we now know what we didn't all those years ago. Our eyes can and will be damaged by UV rays and wearing sunglasses helps to protect the health and longevity of your eye health and vision.

Answer 10

What Ethelucy said - and - so you can see better. I wear them more so I can see without the sun glare than for protection. Kind of hard to drive into the direction of the sun without wearing them. ☺