1. More than fashion: Sunglasses and a hat can protect your eyes from UV rays and reduce the risk of cataracts and retinal damage. They also protect the sensitive skin around your eyes, which, if overexposed to the sun, can result in eyelid cancers and wrinkling.

2. Eye burn: Artificial sources of UVB rays - tanning beds, halogen desk lamps - can cause snowblindness, the burning of the cornea. The condition also occurs at high altitudes on highly reflective snow fields. Symptoms include tearing, pain, redness and temporary loss of vision. Treatment consists of eye patches and an antibiotic solution.

3. Watch out: Pterygium, a noncancerous growth over the white part of the eye, has been diagnosed more frequently in people who spend a lot of time in the sun and wind, i.e, fishermen, surfers. No treatment is required, unless it blocks your vision. Then, it can be removed surgically.

4. Read the label: Don't be fooled into thinking that pricey sunglasses provide the best protection. The label is more important than the price tag. Make sure it says 99 percent to 100 percent UV protection, and make sure the label on your children's sunglasses says the same.

5. Partly cloudy: Keep wearing your sunglasses, even on a cloudy day. Clouds do not wipe out UV rays.