You can’t see UV but its damaging effects can stay with you for life. In fact, your prescious peepers are 10 times more sensitive to UV than your skin!
Most of us are aware that we should protect our skin against the sun’s rays by using sun cream and covering up. But do you ever consider what UV can do to our eyes?
There’s no doubt that sunglasses are cool, and provide comfort from the glare of the sun, but they can also provide vital protection.
Misconceptions about UV
A recent study by The Met Office revealed some common misconceptions about UV:
☀️Many people underestimate the effects of UV. For instance, one quarter of people thinking it is only harmful when the sky is clear.
☀️One in three people do not realise that eyes can get burnt by UV.
☀️ 27% of the population believe that if its cold outside then there is no need to worry about UV.
☀️Radiation from the sun can have both short- and long-term effects on the condition of our eyes. It can damage the surface, cornea and lens of the eye, much like sun can burn skin. Long-term exposure to UV radiation can be serious. In the UK, cumulative exposure to UV is one of the main causes of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
☀️To protect your eyes from exposure it is important to wear good quality protective sunglasses that block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation and that screen 75 to 90 percent of visible light.
☀️The UV index (the strength of the sun) can be high at many times of the year. It is worth remembering that it doesn’t have to be hot and the sky doesn’t have to be cloudless for UV levels to be high. These levels are graded from low to very high, and it is important to take action when UV levels are moderate or above.
We’re here to help!
Here at Grey St. Optician we have over 100 individual sunglasses frames, and they all offer 100% UV protection as standard.
These can be purchased ready-to-wear, or glazed with your prescription.
We also have a huge range of tint, filter and photochromic lens options to customise your sunglasses.
Protecting your eyes has never been easier!
For more information about our sunglass options, get in touch or book a frame consultation here
