Link: https://old.reddit.com/r/tifu/comments/1te1fhf/tifu_by_not_knowing_why_we_really_should_wear/

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The original was posted on /r/tifu by /u/bellacathy on 2026-05-15 16:29:16+00:00.

I grew up in a simple household of 6 people - meaning there was never enough money for accessories. There was always food on the table and we had clothes that covered us. But we did not have an excess of money which meant there were parts of social life I never learned growing up.

We never had 'accessories'. Now jewellery, not handbags...and no sunglasses. The adults in the family never wore them so neither did the children. We were taught, as a way of kerbing expenses, that it was just a way of some people showing off their wealth. I accepted this way as the only way.

This brings me to my adulthood. I have always worked outside in all weathers in England. Lots of wind, lots of rain and believe it or not, lots of sunshine. The work is very physical and I move around a lot in my day, lifting amd carrying and bending and running. I often wear suncream and a hat but never sunglasses.

Over 10 years of this, one day I woke up and I had a bright red inner white of my eye. Lots of red veiny bits and a yellowed area. There was some pain in the back of my eyeball like strain. I hadn't been to an eye doctor since I was a child so I thought that this was a sign to get to one sooner rather than later.

I visited an Optometrist. He did all the examinations that took 40 mins. It was concluded I now have irreparable UV damage to both of my eyes. It will look better with some hot compresses and eye drops but it will always remain to some extent.

Safe to say, I ordered UV 400 polarised sunglasses the same day and will be wearing them henceforth.

TL;DR. Sunglasses are like suncream. You have to protect your eyes as well as your skin.