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Eye Facts
LOOKING AFTER OUR EYES
You should wear protective eyewear any time your eyes are exposed to UV light, even on cloudy days and in winter months. If you wear UV protective contact lenses, you still need to wear a pair of sunglasses to protect the area of the eye that is not covered by the lens.
Well fitted sunglasses are invaluable as a first line of defence against damage to the eyes. Sun screens and sun blocks may protect the skin around the eye but are quickly absorbed through the lids and into the tear film which will have a significant effect on the natural PH of tears causing stinging, burning and blurred vision.
FACTS ABOUT SUNLIGHT
Taking the whole spectrum of light, Ultraviolet wavelenghts have the greatest radiant energy and although invisible to the human eye, they are responsible for most of the damage caused to our visual system.
UV radiation reaches the eye directly from sunlight and indirectly, reflected from water, snow and bright objects, even on cloudy and overcast days up to 80% of harmful UV radiation still gets through. Exposure to UV rays has been proven to contribute eye diseases such as cararacts, macula swelling and age related macular degeneration.
Ocular tissue changes occure as a result of long term, lower level exposure, for instance, to outdoor workers and sportsmen & women who train and compete outdoors.
For the sailor in particular, these dangers are multiplied because they operate in one of the worst conditions for our eyes, second only to those who work outside in the mountains. However it is very unusual to see participants in mountain activities not wearing the correct eye protection.
Unlike the Red blood cells, the cells of the lens of the eye are never replaced; the proteins of the lens are never replenished. The lens cannot repair itself; damage accumulates over a lifetime.
PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES
We have the ability to fit most prescriptions (+2 to -2) into almost every style of sunglasses on our website. Simply "Contact Us" with your prescription and the frames that you like and we will be able to tell you the options available to you.
CHILDREN'S EYE PROTECTION
Do not forget protection for children and teenagers. They typically spend more time in the sun than adults. Children's sunglasses now come in an array of colorful designs, many modeled after adult styles.
Children are especially vunerable. With their clearer corneas & lenses they actually absorb more UV and HEV (high energy visible light) radiation than adults. As we get older our lens yellows and actually increases our protection, despite this it is alarmingly rare to see children wearing sunglasses even when the parents are.
THE CORRECT LENSES
DON'T be fooled by dark lenses, without UV filters these lenses increase risk by allowing the pupil to dilate letting in even more harmful radiation.
When working properly, well fitted high qualitly sunglasses will block 75-90% of visable light, 100% of UV light and significantly reduce HEV radiation.
Lens category | Description |
|---|---|
0 | Fashion spectacles - not sunglasses very low sunglare reduction - some UVR protection. |
1 | Fashion spectacles - not sunglasses limited sunglare reduction - some UVR protection. |
2 | Sunglasses - medium sunglare reduction and good UV protection |
3 | Sunglasses - high sunglare reduction and good UV protection |
4 | Special purpose sunglasses – very high sunglare reduction and good UV protection |
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