Ultraviolet (UV) designates a band of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelength from 10 nm to 400 nm, shorter than that of visible light but longer than X-rays. UV radiation is present in sunlight and accounts for roughly 10% of the total light output of the sun.
Unfortunately, the sun’s UV rays are quite dangerous and can increase an individual’s risk of cataracts and various other health concerns. Consider the fact that about 120,000 terawatts of power flow to Earth from the Sun. Imagine all of that on your eyes! Thankfully, sunglasses are great for protecting against dangerous UV rays, but it’s important to not just turn to any pair of shades, you need to invest in quality.
Sunglasses are an important part of the fashion industry and can boost anyone’s style and appearance. But instead of opting for the coolest looking shades, for the sake of your health, you should invest in a stronger, quality pair of sunglasses.
According to Nine.com, consumers should start paying more attention to the labels found on sunglasses because many cheap and expensive shades actually do nothing to stop dangerous UV light getting into their eyes.
It’s important to note that certain times of the day pose even more threats to your skin and eyes, so whether you are wearing quality shades or not, you need to be extra cautious between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
“When we’re out in the sun, if we don’t have any glare protection, we naturally squint our eyes or cover our eyes with our hands,” said Dr. Shweta Kaushik, an ophthalmologist and spokesperson for RANZCO. “If we’re wearing cheap sunglasses that don’t protect against UV and are not (squinting or shielding out eyes), all of that light and glare is going straight into our eyes. It can feel really good (in terms of reducing glare) but if we don’t protect against UV light, we’re exposing our eyes to dangerous rays.”
Quality protective sunglasses have a coating on the glass that acts as a filter to actually prevent UV light from breaking through. Consumers should search for shades that have a lens category of at least three.
“That provides really good, solid protection against UV and glare,” added Dr. Kaushik.
Also, it’s important to note that cost isn’t exactly related to protection.
“Some very fashionable and expensive sunglasses do not provide any protection against UV radiation,” said Dr. Kaushik.
Stay updated with all the insights.
Navigate news, 1 email day.
Subscribe to Qrius
