Eye care is all too often ignored when hitting the sand and waves. A day at the beach is good for your spirit but can be tough on your eyes. Salt water, wind, and the sun all can irritate your eyes, causing discomfort and potentially doing physical damage over time. What all water sport enthusiasts need is a good pair of goggles.
Like most things in this world, all goggles are not created equal. When it comes to vision, eye safety is not something you want to ignore. To help you be a smart consumer, Jet Ski Now has compiled a list of features you should look for when looking to purchase a pair of water goggles.
- 100% Ultraviolet Protection -- One of the most important things you can do for your eyes when jet skiing is to protect them from ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light from the sun has been linked to eye disease. This is especially important for jet skiers and other water athletes because the ultraviolet light reflects off of the surface of the water, making it more dangerous. What this means for you is exposure to higher concentrations of ultraviolet light than your land loving counterparts. For this reason, make sure to invest in a good pair of goggles that absorbs 100% of UV radiation.
- Polycarbonate lenses -- This is by far the most safe type of lens material for water goggles. Polycarbonate lenses are impact resistant. Simply put, this means they will be hard to shatter. Since taking a hard fall is part of being a water athlete, goggles with polycarbonate lenses are the best way to go.
- Proper Seal -- A properly fitted goggle makes it easy to see without having to constantly wipe your eyes and protects you from minor eye irritation. You want the goggle to fit on the bone around the eye and not inside the eye socket itself. A goggle that does not fit properly will often cause "raccoon eyes". This is because if the goggle rests on the socket, instead of the bone around the eye, it can cut off circulation. Make sure to put the goggle on and ensure a proper fit. In addition, you want to make sure there are no visible gaps between the goggle and your face. Gaps mean only one thing ... water seepage.
- Colored Lenses -- Colored Lenses turn ordinary goggles into a functional pair of sunglasses. Out on the water, the sun is bright. Colored leneses will shade your eyes from the harsh sun. On the plus side, they look good too.
- Polarized Lenses -- The cost for polarized lenses is a bit expensive, but for those who frequent the water on a regular basis, it may well be worth the investment. The science behind it is simple. The light being reflected off the water produces a high degree of glare, much like light being reflected off of snow. This causes you to squint. Polarized lenses can absorb almost all of the glare so that your eyes can relax. Hence no squinting. The one downside to using polarized lenses is for surfers. Polarized lenses will make it more difficult to read the breath/depth of the wave.
- Prescription Lenses -- This is a feature that those who wear contact lenses or glasses may want to look into. For more details, see Prescription Goggles.
Anyone who spends a lot of time on the water can tell you, water sports such at jet skiing can pose a hazard to the health of your eyes. One of the best things a water athlete can do is pick a good pair of goggles. The right goggles will offer both style and protection. This expert list from Jet Ski Now should help you seperate the good from the bad from the available options out there.
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