Why UV protection is important for your eyes.

Sun’s out, guns out! During the summer months many people like to spend hours and hours in the sun. Most of us remember to apply sunscreen. Probably because the results are visible: people do not want to walk around looking like a red lobster the next few days. What many people do not know is that overexposure of sun to our eyes can cause just as much damage.

What is UV?
UV is short for ultraviolet and belongs to the light spectrum. UV is a form of electromagnetic radiation. Light has specific wavelengths that determine color. Visible light has wavelengths from about 400 nm (nanometers) to a maximum of 700 nm. Light also consists of wavelengths that are not visible to the human eye. We call this ultraviolet radiation (UV light) and infrared radiation. Ultraviolet radiation is classified into 3 categories: UV-A 400-315 n, UVB 315-280nm and UVC 280-200nm. 

Why is UV harmful?
I hear you thinking: what does this mean and why is this harmful? In easy words: UV-A penetrates deep into the skin, and could cause skin problems like cancer. UV-B causes coloration and burning of the skin. UV-C Fortunately, is absorbed and blocked by the ozone layer before it reaches Earth.

Ultraviolet radiation plays a major role in the development of skin cancer. Although certain effects of ultraviolet light are important and beneficial to the human body, such as UV-B which aids in the formation of vitamin D by the skin, it is important to realize that ultraviolet radiation is harmful to human tissue and also to the body and eye. UV-A and UV-B are both associated with eye diseases such as cataract, pinguecula, pterygium and macular degeneration. The extent of damage from ultraviolet radiation is determined by the wavelength, duration, intensity and degree of exposure.

When am I over exposed and what can I do about it?
What is dangerous about this radiation is that your eyes don't signal that you've been out in the sun for too long. You will only notice this at a later age and it can be the difference between continuing to see well, or losing quality of your sight.

Eyes are exposed to maximum ultraviolet radiation especially early in the morning and in the afternoon. This is because the sun is relatively low in the sky. At these times, sunlight shines directly into the eyes without being blocked by protective anatomical structures, such as the eyebrows. It should also be taken into account that the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth is hardly affected by clouds, which makes it all the more important to protect eyes from sunlight all year round.

What many people forget is to properly protect their eyes or those of their children. Children's eyes are more sensitive to UV radiation than an adult's eye. A child's eye still has to develop.
The color of your eyes also affects the amount of light that reaches the retina. The back part of your iris is the pigment sheet, the more pigment there is, the browner your eyes are and the less light gets in. However, brown eyes are not automatically protected against UV radiation!

The amount of radiation also depends on where on earth you are located. In Germany, UV radiation is lower than around the equator. In Southern Europe, for example, the radiation is higher than in central European countries. However, UV radiation can also increase considerably in our country.

In any case, wear sunglasses in the summer between 12 noon and 3 p.m. UV radiation reflects off sand, water and snow and the intensity is higher at high altitudes. Extra caution is therefore required on the beach, on the water and in the mountains (especially in the snow).

The colour and darkness of the lenses don't have anything to do with the ability to block UV. What is important is to choose one which fits close to the face and with wide lenses, in order to protect your eyes from every angle. Some contact lenses also offer UV protection, but should be worn in combination with sunglasses for maximum protection. 

How does Kleiderly contribute?
While our frames contain no acetates, our sunglasses lenses also protect you 100% from UVA and UVA rays, so you can relax and enjoy the summer sun. 

https://prummel-optiversum.nl/waarom-je-ogen-beschermd-moeten-worden-tegen-uv-straling/

https://www.specsavers.nl/oogzorg/uv-straling-en-uw-ogen

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/uv-protection/faq-20058021

https://www.oregoneyes.net/3-reasons-to-protect-your-eyes-from-uv-rays/

https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/uv-protection?sso=y