Most of us can describe what too much sun does to our skin, but far fewer know what it does to our eyes. The good news is that prevention, in the form of sunglasses, is simple, cheap and mostly comes down to reading one line on a label.

But the catch? You don't only need to reach for your sunglasses on sunny days.

Here's a simple guide on everything you need to know about keeping your eyes safe:

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Q: Why do we need sunglasses?

A: They're much more than a fashion accessory — they're protective gear. Sunglasses shield your eyes from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation the same way sunscreen protects your skin. Without protection, UV rays can damage the eye's surface, cornea and lens.

Q: How can UV rays impact my eyes?

A: In the short term, you can get something called photokeratitis, essentially a sunburn of the eye's surface. Symptoms include redness, a gritty "something's in my eye" feeling, extreme light sensitivity and watering. In the long term, UV exposure raises your risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, growths on the eye and even eye cancer.

Q: How long does damage take to show up?

A: That's the sneaky part — cataracts and eye cancers can take years to develop, and the damage is cumulative over your lifetime.

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Q: When is UV radiation the strongest?

A: The UV index is typically the highest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Q: It's cloudy out — my eyes are safe, right?

A: No, this is a myth. Some of the sun's UV rays can pass through clouds, so protection matters even on gray days. It's also important to note that reflective surfaces, like water, sand, snow and light-colored pavement, can bounce extra UV rays up into your eyes, so you aren't in the clear under an umbrella either.

Q: What should I be keeping in mind when buying sunglasses?

A: 

• Prioritize the UV rating above all else. Look for a label that says "100% UV protection" or "UV400." 
• Choose large or wraparound frames to protect the sun from getting in the side of your eyes.
• Look for polarized lenses because they can help reduce glare.
• Don't assume that darker lenses or a higher price indicates more UV protection.

Q: Do kids need sunglasses?

A: Absolutely — it's arguably even more important for kids than adults. Early protection matters a lot since damage is cumulative and much of our lifetime UV exposure happens young.

Q: Who else is especially vulnerable?

A: People who spend long hours outdoors near reflective surfaces like surfers, skiers, fishermen, farmers, boaters and beachgoers are more at risk. 

Caitlin Kaiser graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with both an undergraduate and graduate degree in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences before starting her career as a digital meteorologist with weather.com.