ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The Vision Council is reminding Americans to celebrate National Sunglasses Day on June 27 by donning their favorite sunglasses during the sunny season, and encouraging sun-safe practices all year long. National Sunglasses Day, a day owned and celebrated annually by The Vision Council, is entirely devoted to creating awareness and highlighting the importance of wearing sunglasses as a way of protecting one's eyes from the sun’s powerful and damaging rays. But the holiday is about more than just accessorizing and looking cool in the summer sun. It’s a celebration of sight and the role of sunglasses in enabling individuals to safely pursue their passions and live their lives in a full and authentic way, the organization noted in its announcement.

“It’s nearly impossible to overstate the role eyesight plays in our lives,” said Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council. “Not only does our eyesight allow us to appreciate the beauty around us, but it also enables us to complete daily tasks and enjoy the activities that we love.”

The sun poses real and tangible risks to sight. Exposure to harmful UV rays can result in life-altering conditions like photokeratitis, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and basal cell carcinoma. In fact, research shows that as little as 100 seconds of direct sun exposure can result in permanent retinal damage.

“Whether you’re spending the day in the garden, riding a bike, walking down the beach, or playing sports, protecting your eyes is of the utmost importance,” Mills said. “Wearing sunglasses means that we are able to spend more time outside and do so safely.”

To ensure optimal fit and protect eyesight for years ahead, The Vision Council is proud to present Pick Your Perfect Pair, a short guide which walks consumers through the basics of selecting a pair of sunglasses best suited to their unique needs.

The Vision Council is encouraging consumers and eyecare professionals, too, to share a sunglass selfie to social media with the hashtag #SolarFlair #SunglassSelfie and #NationalSunglasses Day and tagging @TheVisionCouncil and @OpticalIndustry on Twitter.

They can also download its extensive toolkit of digital and print materials, featuring ready-made graphics and suggested content.