UV Protection
While many of us readily apply sunscreen to shield our skin from the sun's rays, it's surprising how often the potential harm the sun poses to our eyes goes overlooked. Unbeknownst to many, our eyes are astonishingly more susceptible—up to ten times more so—to the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation compared to our skin. Given this striking vulnerability, it becomes undeniably imperative to take measures to safeguard our eyes.
To protect you against this invisible threat, all our sunglasses are meticulously crafted with UVB400 protective coatings. We strongly recommend wearing sunglasses in all bright conditions to protect your eyes to protect from these UV rays. Our UV protective coating remains completely transparent, discreetly protecting your vision without compromising the appearance of your sunglasses.
UV protection as standard
All of our sunglasses come with UVB400 protective coating as standard. UVB400 protection is also available for all of our high index prescription glasses lenses in our Gold, Gold +, and Platinum lens packs. This ensures that your lenses remain pristine from any distracting tints, while the invisible armour of the UV coating provides defence against the sun's harmful rays.
What are UV rays?
Ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are emitted by the sun, can have detrimental effects on your eyes when exposed for extended periods without proper protection. There are three main types of UV rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC. While the Earth's atmosphere primarily absorbs UVC rays, UVA and UVB rays still manage to reach the surface and can cause various adverse effects on your eyes.
UVA (Ultraviolet A)
UVA rays have longer wavelengths and are present in sunlight throughout the day. They can penetrate deeper into the skin and eyes compared to UVB rays. UVA rays are associated with premature skin aging, as they can break down collagen and elastin fibers. They are also linked to an increased risk of skin cancer, including melanoma. In terms of the eyes, UVA rays contribute to conditions like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
UVB (Ultraviolet B)
UVB rays have shorter wavelengths and are more intense than UVA rays. They are a primary cause of sunburn and play a significant role in the development of skin cancer. UVB rays are partially absorbed by the ozone layer, but enough reach the Earth's surface to cause damage. In the eyes, overexposure to UVB rays can lead to photokeratitis, which is essentially a sunburn of the eye's surface. Prolonged UVB exposure is also associated with cataract formation and contributes to various eye disorders.
UVC (Ultraviolet C)
UVC rays have the shortest wavelengths and are the most energetic type of UV radiation. Unlike UVA and UVB, the majority of UVC rays are absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere, specifically the ozone layer. As a result, UVC rays are not a significant concern for human health, as they are largely prevented from reaching the surface. However, they are used for germicidal purposes, such as in certain sterilisation processes and devices.