ALEXANDRIA, Va.—With the summer Olympics, warmer weather and more outdoor time on the horizon, The Vision Council has kicked off its National Sunglasses Day 2024 campaign, with a focus on raising the visibility of sunglasses for their protection, fashion and sports benefits. National Sunglasses Day will be celebrated on June 27. The holiday is entirely devoted to creating awareness around the importance of wearing sunglasses to protect people’s eyes from the sun’s powerful rays. This year, the campaign is spotlighting sports sunglasses, inspiring outdoor lovers to gear up with shades on before participating in their favorite activities.

Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council, said, “As an organization dedicated to promoting better vision for better lives, we recognize the critical role that quality eyewear plays for those engaging in sports and outdoor activities. Studies show that protective eyewear can aid performance by allowing players to focus on the game without worrying about potential injury or environmental elements. This year for National Sunglasses Day, we're thrilled to highlight sports sunglasses and eyewear that do more, ensuring athletes and outdoor enthusiasts alike have access to best-in-class options that power peak performance with confidence and clarity.”

For ECPs, The Vision Council has created a toolkit with ready-made promotional graphics and suggested content. It is available for download online here. ECPs are also encouraged to join The Vision Council on social media and visit thevisioncouncilfoundation.org/NSD to learn more from Paris-bound competitors, recreational athletes and outdoor enthusiasts about their favorite sports sunglasses.

 
 
Finally, members of the eyecare community are encouraged to share the following information on social media, websites and patient communications:

The right eyewear can significantly enhance performance in sports and activities by optimizing vision clarity, depth perception, and contrast sensitivity. These features may be especially attractive to athletes:

  • Polycarbonate lenses provide the highest level of protection and can withstand the impact from a ball or other projectile traveling at up to 90 miles per hour. Proper protective eyewear should meet the American Standards for Testing and Materials (ASTM) impact standards.

  • Polarized lenses reduce glare from reflective surfaces like water, snow, and roads and can enhance contrast and improve visual clarity. Sunglasses with polarized lenses are ideal for fishing, boating, skiing, driving, and other prolonged outdoor activities.

  • Interchangeable lenses allow wearers to swap lenses to improve the view across different environments and weather. This can be helpful during cycling and other activities where conditions may change quickly.

  • Non-slip nose pieces and temples help withstand the continual movement and jostling that occur during running or other sports, helping keep lightweight, snugly-fitting sunglasses in place.

  • Wraparound-style frames can protect the delicate eye area from sunlight, wind, and debris, and they can reduce glare and stay put during physical activity.
In addition, protecting vision from harmful UV rays and other damage is especially important during sports or other physical activities. According to The National Institute of Health’s National Eye Institute, a staggering 30,000 sports-related eye injuries in the United States each year require a trip to the emergency room. Almost 90 percent of eye injuries are preventable with proper eye protection.

For more information on this initiative, or about The Vision Council, click here.