Winter is officially here, which means in some locations stinging winds and frigid rains and sometimes snow aren't far behind. Most of us wouldn't ever conceive of leaving the house without a jacket in overcast climates, but surprisingly, far too many people leave their sunglasses at home. Although many of us don't think about the glaring sunshine during times that we are bundling up against the bitter winter climate, the sun's rays are still a present danger in colder climates, and sometimes can be even more powerful.

On occasions that you find yourself snowed in, you should be even more careful. In particular following a blizzard, the blanket of snow covering the world around you, actually magnifies the reflection of the sunlight. In fact, without sunglasses it can downright hurt your eyes when you first step outside following a heavy snow. The UV sunlight that we are all so careful about in the heat of the summer can really be more hazardous in the wintertime because it bounces off the snow or ice, giving you double exposure. This is why sunglasses are a crucial part of your winter attire.

Although you want to feel great in your sunglasses, the most important part of choosing sunglasses is checking that they provide adequate protection against UV. Be sure they are 100% UV blocking by checking for an indication that they block all light up to 400 nanometers - UV400. Don't worry, proper sun protection doesn't mean you have to buy the most expensive pair. Many of the more inexpensive brands are made with full UV protection.

Another important feature in picking the right sun wear is the size of the frame. You will have the most protection when the lenses cover as much of the area around your eyes as possible. The larger the surface area covered by your sunglasses, the less harmful UV rays will be able to enter. Wrap around frames will also keep UV waves from entering through the periphery.

For the skiers or snowboarders out there, it’s important to know that UV radiation is more powerful at peak heights, so be especially careful to keep your eyes guarded on the ski slope. For added protection put on a wide brimmed hat that covers your eyes.

Make a point to be in the know about the risks of UV damage to your eyes throughout the year. Make your sunglasses a fixed part of your routine.