Take care of your eyesight. Why should you wear sunglasses?
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Take care of your eyesight. Why should you wear sunglasses?
You should take care of your eyes all year round. However, it is during the summer months that our eyes are particularly vulnerable to many unfavourable external factors such as high temperatures and harsh sunlight. So how can we effectively safeguard our eyesight during the holiday season? What measures can we take to prevent unwanted eye discomfort? And why is this matter of utmost importance? If you seek answers to these questions, you should definitely read this article!
Table of contents:
How can sunglasses protect your eyesight?
Summer is not an ideal time for our eyes due to the increased hazards that can negatively impact our vision and overall health. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritise proper eye care during this season. Remember to maintain hygiene around the eyes, use moisturising and soothing drops, take regular breaks to rest and recover, and maintain a balanced diet. Additionally, don’t forget the importance of wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from harm.
Summer and the dangers to your eyes
Before we delve into the topic of sunglasses, it's essential to recall the significant summer hazards that can detrimentally impact our eyesight. One crucial factor to consider is air conditioning, which plays a prominent role among these adverse external elements. Air conditioning systems tend to significantly decrease air humidity, leading to dryness. This can have a notable effect on the well-being of our eyes, causing faster fatigue, irritation, dryness, and resulting in a burning sensation and redness.
Similar effects can be experienced due to the hot and dry air that often accompanies summer days. Moreover, when combined with campfire smoke or barbecues, it exacerbates the problem by causing additional evaporation. This increased evaporation can disrupt the tear film, which is the delicate protective layer that covers the surface of the eyeball.
However, one of the most significant risks to our eyes during the summer arises from the intense sunlight, leading to photophobia and heightened sensitivity to the sun's high-intensity rays. This exposure not only causes discomfort but also brings forth harmful UV radiation that poses a threat to our eyes and their delicate vision. The eyes absorb this radiation completely, making it imperative to take precautions to protect them.
Harmful UV radiation
Various types of solar radiation exist, and each type has distinct effects on our bodies. The three primary categories are UVA, UVB and UVC, with UVC being the most potent but largely absorbed by the ozone layer in the atmosphere. However, two other types of ultraviolet radiation, UVB and UVA, still reach us and pose equal harm to our health.
Exposing our eyes to sunlight can lead to significant problems, including redness, a burning sensation, and a gritty feeling as if there is sand in the eyes. Furthermore, consistent and prolonged exposure to UV radiation can have long-term consequences, increasing the risk of severe eye conditions in the future. These may include eyelid, conjunctiva and cornea cancers, as well as the development of cataracts or macular degeneration.
Sunglasses – essential protection for our eyesight
In order to protect your eyes from all these dangers and the potential risks of future eye diseases, it is vital to prioritise the care of your vision. One effective measure is to consistently wear carefully selected and high-quality sunglasses with a UV filter. However, it is crucial to be mindful that not all sunglasses with tinted lenses can ensure sufficient protection against harmful radiation for our eyes.
Buying sunglasses from random sources, often based on low price, trendy shape, or colour, can bring more harm than benefit. They may result in eye irritation, redness and other unwanted health issues, including potential long-term vision damage. Sunglasses with only dark lenses and no proper filter fail to protect the eyes from harmful radiation. Furthermore, they expose our vision to even greater risk compared to high-quality sunglasses with a UV filter.
Sunglasses with UV filter – what types are there?
What sunglasses should you choose? The answer is simple. The best criterion to follow is to opt for sunglasses with a UV filter as they provide protection against the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. Sunglasses are categorised into 5 levels, ranging from 0 to 4, with 0 being the lightest shade and 4 being the darkest. These categories indicate the amount of light transmitted through the lenses of the sunglasses, although it is important to note that these markings do not directly correlate with UVA and UVB protection levels.
UV protection categories:
- UV 0: This category allows 80-100% transmission of sunlight, offering very low protection. These sunglasses are not suitable for adequate sun protection, even on cloudy days;
- UV 1: Sunglasses in this category allow 18-80% sunlight transmission, providing limited protection from the sun. They may work adequately on cloudy days or in low sunlight conditions;
- UV 2: This category allows 18-43% transmission of sunlight, sunglasses in this category offer good sun protection. They perform well on cloudy days and provide sufficient protection from sunlight;
- UV 3: This category allows 8-18% transmission of sunlight, providing high vision protection. Sunglasses in this category are suitable for summer sunny days and can be beneficial for drivers;
- UV 4: This category allows 3-8% transmission of sunlight, sunglasses in this category offer the highest level of vision protection. They are ideal for sunny days, trips to the mountains, beaches, snowy areas, and activities like skiing. However, they are not suitable for driving due to reduced visibility.
It is recommended to choose sunglasses with UV filter categories that align with the specific conditions in which they will be used. In addition to the five standard levels, there is also the UV400 filter, which provides optimal protection for the eyes. The name UV400 indicates that the filter blocks UVA wavelengths up to 400 nanometers. This filter effectively blocks 99-100% of the sun's harmful rays, including both UVA and UVB radiation (up to 315 nm), providing comprehensive protection. Sunglasses with a UV400 filter ensure full protection against these two types of radiation.
An additional benefit of sunglasses can also be a polarising filter, which not only ensures effective eye protection but also enhances visual quality by reducing reflections and glare. A polarising filter works by blocking scattered light that reflects off surfaces, allowing only polarised light to pass through. Polarised sunglasses are highly recommended for individuals engaged in outdoor activities such as running, cycling and skiing. They are also particularly beneficial for drivers, as they can improve road visibility by up to 75%.
Sunglasses with UV filter – health is in fashion!
We firmly believe that prioritising our health should take precedence over any cost considerations. Therefore, it is important to ensure proper eye protection throughout the year, not just during the summer. Visiting an optician or a reputable online shop is highly recommended when searching for reliable sunglasses with a UV filter. By doing so, you no longer have to compromise between stylish designs and your health. It is possible to find sunglasses that offer both aesthetic appeal and the necessary protective features to keep your eyes safe.
Numerous brands, including Meller, offer a diverse range of sunglasses with a UV filter that align with the latest trends. Feel free to browse our collection now to explore the latest trends in eyewear.
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