Protecting Your Eyes from UV Damage

PROTECTING YOUR EYES FRO UV DAMAGE

Usually we can protect our skin from the sun by using sunscreen but did you know sunlight can cause a lot of harm to your eyes.

Your eyes have natural protection from the sun, our eyelids, eyebrows and eyelashes provide protection along with the position of the eye in the eye socket.  Squinting is another mechanism we have to protect from the sun and UV damage, however even on a day without bright sun the eye is exposed to UV rays so it’s important to protect them.

What is UV and is it Dangerous?

Ultraviolet or UV is light with a wavelength of less than 400 nm (the color we can see in the range of 400 – 760 nm). It is found in sunlight, electric welding machines and in some industrial environments. UV rays can be divided into 3 ranges based on their intensity. The difference between UVA, UVB and UVC Rays1. UV C rays,100-280 nm) are the type with the highest energy and may cause the most harm to the body and eyes.  UVC rays are filtered by the Ozone layer which became global news in the 1980’s.  As the Ozone is damaged and thinned there is a chance UVC rays can cause more harm.

UV B rays (280-320 nm) radiation has less energy than UVC rays but can escape from the ozone layer. If given a small amount, will stimulate the skin to produce melanin pigment but if received large amounts of UVB rays it will cause the skin to burn, Dark spots, wrinkles and can cause skin cancer with prolonged exposure. UV A rays, 320-400 nm) are the lowest energy UV rays but it can penetrate through the cornea into the lens and retina. This type of radiation exposure in large quantities can cause cataracts and damage your eyesight permanently. 

Did you know that wearing sunglasses with no UV protection is more harmful than not wearing sunglasses at all?  This is because the pupil enlarges to absorb more light thus allowing more UV rays into the eye.  Therefore it is essential to buy sunglasses with UVA protection, and even better, UVA and UVB protection.  

So how do you go about protecting your eyes from UV damage? 

It’s important to choose a pair of sunglasses that is clearly labelled that it blocks 100% of UVA and UVB rays.  Be aware of fake labels however, if a pair of sunglasses is cheap but has this label then there is a chance it offers no protection at all.  

Lenses should be large and wide in order to protect your eyes from sunlight as much as possible. Choose sunglasses with multi-coated lenses which are able to cut glare from the light and can block UV rays. There are also types of multi-coat glasses that can change the lens color according to the light conditions such as when in the sun the lens will be black and when in the middle of the light The lens will be tinted or when indoors, it is a clear lens.



There are also multi-coated lenses that can cut blue light from harmful computer and mobile phone screens to choose from. If you choose glasses with multi-coated lenses that can change color and cut blue light. It will be able to protect the eyes from all situations without having to change glasses often but these types of glasses are also very expensive.

Sunglasses may offer other features including:
– Blue – Blocking Lenses, make it easier to see distant objects, especially in snow or cloudy weather. The lens that can block all blue light is amber. However, gray lenses are recommended for driving in order to see the traffic light colors correctly.

– Polarized Lenses help cut light, reduce diffraction such as sunlight reflected from snow or water.

– Photochromic Lenses can adjust the intensity of the lens color according to the changing amount of light.

– Polycarbonate Lenses to help prevent bumps or accidents to the eyes.

– Mirror coated Lenses, will help to reduce visible light. There are two types of Gradient Lenses: Single gradient lenses, which are darker on top, light color below Reduces scattered light and sees more clearly and generally are suitable for driving. Another type is Double gradient lenses, which are darker on the top and bottom. light color in the middle and suitable for water sports or winter sports.

However, when buying sunglasses with the aim of protecting your eyes from UV damage, you should buy from a reputable outlet or online shop.  If the price is to good to be true then it undoubtedly is and for saving a bit of money you may be doing some long term damage.  



Nathalie Fordeyn Women’s Sunglasses offer100% UVA/UVB protection (CR39) so check out the range of models today!