Today, 27th June 2016 is The Vision Council’s National Sunglasses Day, but protecting your eyes from the sun’s UV rays is important every day.

The more exposure your eyes have to sunlight without sunglasses throughout your life, the greater your risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and more — even on cloudy days. After a day in the sun without sunglasses, UV rays can also cause immediate, temporary issues like red eyes and sensitivity to light.

Don’t let excuses prevent you from protecting your eyes. Get multiple pairs of sunglasses and keep spare shades in your car, so you’re not caught without them.

According to The Vision Council, these are the top four excuses for not wearing sunglasses while outdoors:

  • “I don’t have them with me” — 28%
  • “I forgot to put them on” — 26%
  • “I’m not outside long enough to put them on” — 17%
  • “I don’t own prescription sunglasses” — 11%

Celebrate National Sunglasses Day by making sure your family always wears shades while outside. Post a sunglass selfie today to your favorite social media outlet with the hashtag #NationalSunglassesDay to promote the importance of UV protection for eyes.