When it comes to choosing the right pair of glasses, UV protection may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, understanding why UV protection on glasses is more than meets the eye is crucial for your eye health and overall well-being.
UV protection on glasses is worth it for several reasons:
Protection from Harmful UV Rays
UV radiation from the sun can not only damage your eyes but also the delicate skin around them. Prolonged exposure to UV rays without protection can lead to eye conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium. Wearing glasses with UV protective coating helps to block these harmful rays, reducing the risk of developing such eye problems.
Preventing Premature Aging and Skin Damage
The skin around our eyes is thinner and more susceptible to damage caused by UV radiation. Overexposure to the sun can accelerate aging, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. Wearing glasses with a UV protection lens can shield the delicate skin around your eyes, preventing premature aging and maintaining a youthful appearance.
Lowering the Risk of Eye Cancer
Skin cancer can also develop on the eyelids and the skin surrounding the eyes. UV protection on glasses helps to minimize the risk of developing skin cancer in these areas. By wearing glasses with proper UV protection, we can create a barrier between the sensitive skin around our eyes and the harmful UV rays, reducing the chances of skin cancer formation.
Enhanced Visual Comfort
Glare from the sun can cause eye strain and discomfort, making it difficult to see clearly. Glasses with UV protection often come with built-in glare-reduction properties, making outdoor activities more comfortable and enjoyable. Whether driving, at the beach, or engaging in sports, UV-protective glasses can enhance visual clarity and reduce eye fatigue.
Long-Term Cost Savings
Investing in glasses with UV protection may seem like an additional expense initially. However, considering the potential eye-related problems and skin damage resulting from UV exposure, it can save you money in the long run. Protecting your eyes and skin reduces the likelihood of requiring costly treatments or surgeries to address UV-induced issues.
How UV Protection is Added to Glasses
Not all sunglasses have UV protection, but many brands include it as a standard feature. Most sunglasses come with a UV filter lens coating or treatment that blocks harmful UV rays. Some companies even have their own specialized lens technologies to enhance UV protection.
If the glasses or sunglasses you purchased don’t have built-in UV protection, you can buy commercial UV lens coatings that can be applied to the lenses of your chosen frame. This option allows you to retrofit your eyewear with UV protection, ensuring that your eyes are shielded from the damaging effects of UV radiation.
Some eyewear is made with materials that inherently block UV radiation. These materials, such as polycarbonate or high-index plastics, provide built-in UV protection without additional coatings.
What is UV Protective Coating on Glasses
The application of a thin layer on the lens surface, known as UV coating, serves to block the detrimental ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by the sun.
This coating functions as a defensive wall, protecting your eyes from the potentially harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The UV coating on lenses helps reduce the amount of UV light that reaches your eyes, providing an additional layer of defense against these potential risks. It is an essential feature to look for in eyeglasses and sunglasses to ensure optimal eye protection.
To ensure optimal protection against harmful UV rays, opt for sunglasses labeled UV 400. These lenses are designed to block almost 100% of ultraviolet light rays, safeguarding your eyes.
UV Level on Sunglasses
UV 400 protection means the lenses can block wavelengths up to 400 nanometers. Additionally, they effectively filter out 75% to 90% of visible light, including UVA and UVB rays that can reach your skin and eyes from the sun. By choosing sunglasses with UV 400 protection, you can enjoy enhanced safety and minimize the potential risks of UV radiation exposure.
Always Protect Your Eyes
While ultraviolet (UV) rays are invisible to the human eye, they are constantly present in the environment, even on cloudy days. Understanding the significance of UV protection in glasses is vital for maintaining optimal eye health. Regardless of the weather or the time of year, your lenses should always provide adequate UV protection.
UV radiation consists of UVA and UVB rays, which can harm your eyes. Prolonged exposure to UV rays without proper protection can lead to various eye conditions, including cataracts, macular degeneration, and corneal damage. It is crucial to wear glasses with sun protection to reduce the risk of these complications.
