You've only got one pair of eyes and you need to take good care of them. Too often we take our eyes for granted. We slather our skin with sun-block but don't realize that our eyes need UV protection too. A good pair of UV-rated sunglasses or goggles is essential for many outdoor activities. If you're riding an OHV you'll need protection against dust and dirt and even rocks that may be kicked up by the rider in front of you or sometimes even by your own front wheel(s) as well. Tinted lenses do more than make seeing more comfortable. They should filter out harmful UV rays. Remember that sunburn on your cheeks , forearms, or shoulders? Imagine what that would be like on your retina!
When choosing eye protection for off road activities it is important to consider the composition of the lens. You want something that will be shatter and scratch resistant as well as giving good UV and glare protection. Polycarbonate or Lexan lenses are among the best. Other types of plastic may be less expensive but won't be as durable or as safe. What you spend on good lenses usually pays off by not having to replace them as often. Goggles should fit fairly tightly on your face or helmet to prevent dust from getting inside, but they shouldn't be so tight as to be uncomfortable and they should be ventilated to prevent condensation. When riding an OHV your goggle strap usually fits over your helmet but the googles are designed to fit inside the front opening of the helmet, against your face. The part of the goggles that comes in contact with your face should be soft, clean and well padded and yet allow some ventilation to allow perspiration vapors to escape instead of condensing on the inside of the lens. Goggles are usually vented through foam to allow air movement without lettting excessive dust in. Keep the padding clean to avoid chafing. Clean the dust from the foam vents every time you clean the lens. Wash the strap occasionally with warm soap and water. Rinse it thoroughly and let dry before stretching it out. If/when the strap does get stretched out, replace the strap or get new goggles. Loose fitting goggles won't keep the dust out and are likely to fall down just when you need them most. Light sensitive lenses will protect your eyes from bright sunlight during the day but automatically lighten up as it gets dark, which is a great advantage if you get stuck out on the trails later than planned.
Eye protection for less dusty activities can usually be accomplished using sun glasses. Note that not all sun glasses are the same. Some have UV protection, some do not. Some have shatter resistant carbonate lenses, some plastic lenses are not shatter resistant. Some have polarized lenses. Polarized lenses help reduce reflected glare from water, roads, and vehicle hoods. Sun glasses come in many shapes, colors, and prices. You can often find sun glasses at your local dollar store. Be sure to watch for polycarbonate lenses with UV protection and polarization. These might be adequate for many low impact activities, but for driving or more intense pursuits you may want to invest it better quality glasses that maintain optical clarity, resist scratching and last longer. I've never felt the need to spend close to $100 for "designer" sun glasses. To me, just wearing some brand name isn't worth it and, quite frankly, I'm offended that they expect us to pay premium prices to advertise their products for them! But some brands, such as RVMaxx for around $20 offer superior quality and functionality at a reasonable price. I especially like their convertible goggles that come with both ear pieces (so they can be worn as sunglasses) and elastic straps (so they can be worn as goggles).
If, in spite of wearing good eye protection, you still get dust or dirt in your eyes, DON'T RUB THEM! Rubbing them will do additional damage to the sensitive tissues and possible cause permanent damage to the lens. Rinse them with clean water and blot them dry. The use of eye drops can reduce the pain and redness and will help flush out contaminants and lubricate your eye balls. If you scratch your eye, be sure to see your doctor for a prescription for a proper ointment to improve comfort and reduce the chances of infection.
You may need eye protection around campfires. Certainly you should have eye protection when chopping wood since there is a strong possibility of flying wood chips. Sometimes there is "popping" in a campfire that sends sparks flying out in all directions and that could be highly dangerous if one lands in your eye.
Eye protection is important for aquatic activities too. In addition to the normal direct sunlight, you also have to deal with intense reflection off the water. Even things like boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing or sailing subjects you to a lot of reflected sunlight. If you're involved in things like water skiing, wake boarding, kayaking, or jet skiing, you may need to protect your eyes from stinging spray. Water drops on goggles or sunglasses may inhibit your vision, but injuring your eyes will inhibit it even more, perhaps permanently! Of course you need aquatic goggles if you are diving or snorkeling. It may seem gross, but spitting on the inside of the lens and wiping it around will help inhibit fogging.
You may need eye protection for stargazing! Looking at the moon through binoculars or a telescope can hurt your eyes so you may need filters on your optics to allow you a clear view without the pain or damage. Remember, moonlight is reflected sunlight, so when you're looking at the moon you are indirectly looking at the sun. Thought not as intense as direct sunlight, the light reflecting off the moon will contain most of the same frequencies and can still damage the sensitive cells of your retina.
See clear!
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