For your outdoor activities, summer or winter, polarized sunglasses are your best allies to protect your eyes from UV rays. Not all sunglasses have the "polarized" designation. This type of sunglasses is equipped with a polarizing film on the lenses. This film offers additional protection for the eyes by filtering out UV rays that are harmful to your eye health. Polarized lenses come in different shades such as blue, brown and gray. This means that they also look great in addition to offering excellent visual comfort!
Polarized sunglasses protect us from UV rays
Our eyes need protection from UV rays, which can lead to eye disease. Long-term exposure to UV rays can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration and photokeratitis, to name a few.
Ultraviolet or UV rays are produced by the sun. They form a high-energy light invisible to the human eye. There are 3 types of rays: UVA, UVB and UVC.
UVA rays are the least powerful of the three, but they are not less harmless because they penetrate deep into our skin, crossing the epidermis and dermis. They are responsible for premature aging of the skin.
UVB rays can cause sunburn almost 1,000 times faster than UVA. The penetration of UVB stops at the epidermis, but it can cause skin cancer.
UVC rays, we hear less about this type of potent radiation because it never reaches the earth's surface. The ozone layer takes care of absorbing them.
The effects of UV rays on the eyes
Exposure to the sun is good for your health and morale, but it is obviously on the condition that you are adequately protected. Indeed, vitamin D is produced by the interaction of solar rays with our skin. However, prolonged exposure to UV rays represents a risk, especially for the eyes. Here are some of the eye problems that are associated with UVA and UVB radiation:
- Cataracts: Medical professionals have established a clear link between a number of cataracts and overexposure to UV radiation. Therefore, they could be avoided by protecting the eyes with polarized sunglasses.
- Macular degeneration: This eye disease is primarily age-related. However, overexposure to UV rays from a young age is responsible for early macular degeneration problems.
- Photokeratitis: This painful inflammation is similar to a sunburn on the cornea. Commonly called "snow blindness," it causes temporary loss of vision.
- Cancer: Overexposure to UVA, especially UVB rays, is the leading cause of eyelid tumours.
Know that UV exposure is cumulative, meaning that damage that has already been caused by the sun cannot be repaired. However, it is always a good time to protect yourself with polarized sunglasses to reduce the risk of problems developing later.
If you have any doubts about the health of your eyes, make an appointment with an optometrist.
The difference between polarized and non-polarized sunglasses
Polarized sunglasses offer extra protection over non-polarized sunglasses. A polarized lens offers better glare protection without darkening your vision.
As a result, you have greater clarity and better contrast perception. Plus, the colors are truer to life. That's why sportsmen and women prefer polarized glasses! Polarized lenses also generate less eye fatigue as images appear clearer and with more natural light.
Find our collection of polarized sunglasses for women and polarized sunglasses for men in our store.
