July is UV Safety Month, and doctors are stressing the importance of protecting your eyes as well as your skin from the rays of the sun.

Prolonged Ultraviolet, or UV, exposure is linked to the development of eye conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

People are encouraged to wear brimmed hats and the right kinds of sunglasses to protect their eyes, even on cloudy and overcast days.

Sunglasses should block 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays, and it's especially important for kids to protect their eyes.

Doctor of Optometry at Shenandoah Eye Care, Stefan Young, says, "Up to 80 percent of the damage, basically, is done by the time you're 18 as well. So for the young folks, make sure they've got little sunglasses and hats as well to protect their eyes. Remember, their pupils are larger, too."

Young adds that some cheaper, bargain sunglasses without proper protection can actually make the size of your pupil increase, which allows in more light and could cause more damage.