Sunglasses are now synonymous with high fashion. They can change your image and attitude with most of us from the western world owning a few pairs. Fashion aside, wearing 100% UV protected sunglasses is key to your eye’s health and safety.
1. Damaging UV Light – The Science Behind It All
On a sunny day, the diameter of a pupil will be around 3 mm. When wearing dark lenses in sunglasses the pupil will increase dilation up to 4.5mm diameter. That’s about 2.5 times more light reflected into your eyes, traveling through the pupil to your retina.
Thank goodness that by wearing top end sunglasses with good lenses only a tenth as much light reaches your eyes and pupils. The light actually reaching the retina is diminished by a factor of around 4. Even though your pupil dilates when wearing sunglasses, if you’re wearing the best quality then your eyes will still benefit from them.
2. UV Light is Harmful to Your Retina
If you’re not wearing a premium-grade sunglass lens ultraviolet light can easily travel through a pair of sunglasses into your dilated pupils, ultimately causing long-term damage to your retinas. Thinking about eye safety when purchasing a set of sunglasses is crucial, particularly if your wearing sports sunglasses for sporting events that expose your eyes to UV light for long periods of time.
3. Reducing Headaches and Eyestrain
Migraines, tension, and headaches can be brought on or exacerbated by direct sunlight. This can be caused by the pupils being dilated for a long time when exposed to intense UV rays. Cornea damage can be a side effect of long periods of sun exposure. Again, premium-grade 100% UV rated lenses can greatly reduce these symptoms and alleviate headaches and may even prevent them.
4. Reducing ‘Dry Eye’ Syndrome for Comfort and Safety
Uncomfortable dry eyes is very annoying and at worst dangerous, especially when driving in high glare situations. Wearing sunglasses can repel some heat and direct sunlight and help keep eyes moist by reducing the evaporation of tears. The eyes need moisture to focus and perform correctly; this is why good quality sunglass lenses are key to eye comfort and safety.
5. Increasing Driver Safety by Reducing Road Glare
Driving in bright sunlight can be dangerous for the driver and their eyes. The ultraviolet light that is refracted off a road can be more intense than being outside of the car and requires good quality lenses, preferable polarized to help prevent distracting and dangerous road glare.
Research has shown that purchasing the premium quality sunglass lenses will give your eyes the best protection from the sun while increasing both your comfort and safety. Polarized lenses are common among sports sunglasses and also the safest choice when driving. With a large range of sunglass lenses available to buy sunglasses online is a practical option, even if you upgrade to polarized lenses to ensure you have the safest option while driving. Always check that sunglass lenses meet US standards and block 100% of UV light.