Most of us believe that it’s only in summers and specifically noontime when UV radiations are at their peak. In this blog we will give some useful information about UV rays, its harmful effects and which products you can use and where. Those who are already aware of this can help spread awareness among near and dear ones.
Sun rays fall on the earth’s sphere at different wavelengths in different areas. Our Ozone layer absorbs and reflects many harmful rays back in the Universe. We all know that Ozone layer has now become thinner and pores because of which UV rays enter into the earth’s atmosphere.
UV rays are classified into different wavelengths as UV A,B and C.
- UV C is the highest energy level rays causing maximum harm to eyes, skin, and hairs. Most UV C rays are absorbed by Ozone Layer but because of its porosity earth’s atmosphere is becoming more prone to UV C rays.
- UV B is sun-burning rays. Our cornea and Crystalline lens inside our eye absorbs much of UV B rays. Only some of it is absorbed by Ozone layer. These rays cause skin tanning, sunburns, or even skin cancer.
- UV A rays affects the center vision of eye called macula. These light rays are near the visible light rays in the light spectrum. They travel through cornea, lens and reach the retina. Over period of time it can lead to cataract and macular degeneration.
It’s true that the intensity of UV rays is maximum between 10 am to 4 pm but apart from direct sunlight, our eyes are more prone to UV due to the reflectance of rays. Areas like seacoast, hilly regions, cloudy weather or snowy mountains peaks have more UV intensity by 30% due to reflectance.
Prevention
- Photochromatic lenses are specially designed to reflect UV rays. These lenses have chemical formula imbibed in the lens itself hence when the lens is exposed to UV radiations it becomes darker. Photo gray lenses are slower in adaption and become darker where Transition lenses have fast transition from dark to light or light to dark.
- The 1.56 index lenses known as polycarbonate or unbreakable lenses are by default UV protectors. Most sunglasses use 1.56 index lenses. These are of two types UV blocker lenses and UV coated lenses. The process of making UV blocker lenses is such that UV protective solution is added to liquid resin material of lens before making. Thus these are 100% UV protective. In UV coated lenses, lens are either dipped in UV blocking solution or sprayed on the surface of lens. These are also 100% UV protective lenses.
- Polarized sunglasses have added benefit as it reduces glare tremendously along with UV protection. Polaroid is one the best premium brand known for its polarized sunglasses. Although there are many other good brands that provide polarization and UV protection in various ranges such as Farenheit, IDEE, Opium, Carrera, Ray-Ban, and others. Polarized sunglasses are available in low range as well.
For spectacle lenses are coated with UV coats. World’s leading spectacle Lens Company Essilor provides various range of UV coating like Crizal UV, Crizal Sapphire, Titus and more. Other top companies like Hoya, Zeiss, Lenzo or Vistar also have their range of UV coating.
