Ultraviolet light (UVR) protection is one of the most important things you can do for your eyes. Short term damage can actually cause a sunburn on the surface of the eyes whereas long term damage can lead to diseases such as skin cancers, macular degeneration and cataracts. Most people know they should be wearing sunglasses, so why don’t they?
Why Wear Sunglasses?
As there is an association between UVR and eye damage, the eye should be protected from exposure to UVR. Sunglasses should decrease visible light to a comfortable level while blocking the invisible and potentially harmful UVR. The tint of the lens does not indicate the UVR absorbing characteristics of the lens. Good quality sunglasses, particularly, the “wraparound” type, provide the eyes with substantial protection against solar UVR.
When to Wear Sunglasses?
Outdoors, particularly in the following circumstances:
During Summer: The level of UVR at noon in summer is about three times as high as that for winter. More importantly, the levels of UVB can be as much as ten times higher (which is why sunburn takes such a short time in summer).
During Winter: Even though daylight hours are reduced in winter, UVR is still present. Damage can occur to your eyes even in winter, and snow reflects UVR to a high degree, giving you almost a double-dose of harmful light rays!
Around noon (1 pm during daylight saving): 70% of the harmful UVB radiation that is received each day occurs within three hours either side of this time.
On the beach or boating: There are usually few buildings or objects to block out part of the sky, so people are exposed to direct and scattered radiation from the whole sky. Water is another type of surface that reflects UVR, increasing the risk when you are out in the water.
High altitude: Solar UVR increases with altitude and, at 2000 metres, can be as much as 30% higher than at sea level. The high reflection of snow worsens the problem, so that the UVR dose to the eye can be quite large. Consequently, good eye protection at higher elevations is very important.
When using medication which may act as a photosensitiser: Some medical treatments involve drugs which make people more sensitive to UVR, so that UVR exposures that would not normally be a problem are sufficient to cause damage.
What to look for. If your sunglasses fit poorly or provide low quality vision you probably won’t wear them. The proper fit is essential to give you good blockage of light from the top, sides and bottom as well as directly ahead. Many types of sunglasses consist of simply a tinted lens with (hopefully) a UV protective coating. You need more than that. Our sunglasses are specially designed to provide you with exceptional contrast even in lower light conditions. Our professionals will direct you to the most appropriate model and style of sunglass that works the best with the outdoor activities you enjoy most.
Wear a prescription lens? Be aware that not all sunglass frames are compatible with prescription lenses. Putting a prescription lens in a frame that is not designed for it may cause vision distortion, change the shape of the frame or alter the glare-blocking characteristics of your sunglasses. Our professionals will evaluate your prescription needs and fit your sunglasses accordingly.
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Protecting your eyes from the sun
Ultraviolet light (UVR) protection is one of the most important things you can do for your eyes. Short term damage can actually cause a sunburn on the surface of the eyes whereas long term damage can lead to diseases such as skin cancers, macular degeneration and cataracts. Most people know they should be wearing sunglasses, so why don’t they?
Why Wear Sunglasses?
As there is an association between UVR and eye damage, the eye should be protected from exposure to UVR. Sunglasses should decrease visible light to a comfortable level while blocking the invisible and potentially harmful UVR. The tint of the lens does not indicate the UVR absorbing characteristics of the lens. Good quality sunglasses, particularly, the “wraparound” type, provide the eyes with substantial protection against solar UVR.
When to Wear Sunglasses?
Outdoors, particularly in the following circumstances:
What to look for. If your sunglasses fit poorly or provide low quality vision you probably won’t wear them. The proper fit is essential to give you good blockage of light from the top, sides and bottom as well as directly ahead. Many types of sunglasses consist of simply a tinted lens with (hopefully) a UV protective coating. You need more than that. Our sunglasses are specially designed to provide you with exceptional contrast even in lower light conditions. Our professionals will direct you to the most appropriate model and style of sunglass that works the best with the outdoor activities you enjoy most.
Wear a prescription lens? Be aware that not all sunglass frames are compatible with prescription lenses. Putting a prescription lens in a frame that is not designed for it may cause vision distortion, change the shape of the frame or alter the glare-blocking characteristics of your sunglasses. Our professionals will evaluate your prescription needs and fit your sunglasses accordingly.