Sunglasses aren’t just accessories that make you look good. Virtually everyone now realises that exposure to the sun will have an accumulative, damaging effect on the skin but it’s really quite surprising how many people still believe that the eyes somehow protect themselves!
Short-term damage to the eyes is hard to notice, but in the long-term, the sun can cause irreversible harm to all structures of the eye and surrounding tissue that are left unprotected or under-protected. These conditions may not manifest for years but by then the damage is already done. That’s why it is important to wear maximum protection beginning in childhood.
Sunlight is at its most intense between the hours of 10:00am and 2:00pm. This means that ultraviolet exposure to the skin is highest in the middle of the day. However, research shows that the eyes are most at risk from exposure to UV radiation during mid-morning and the late afternoon so make sure your eyes are well protected all day.
As well as providing protection from the harmful effects of the sun, certain types of tints can reduce glare and improve contrast in different conditions. Polarising filters are fantastic for cutting out reflected glare from water or a wet road; other tints are brilliant for golf/grass and others for skiing/snow.
Many sunglass frames are fine for prescription glazing (although sometimes in a limited power range) and all of our extensive range of spectacle frames can be fitted with prescription sunglass lenses.
Being outdoors exposes your eye to ultra violet light (UV) which can cause damage to the sensitive areas of your eyes responsible for your vision. Eye conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration are bought on by long exposure to UV. The dark tinted lenses of a sunglass will block this UV therefore protecting your eyes from harmful rays.
Tinted lenses make everything darker and therefore more comfortable when out and about in the sun, but polarised lenses also cut out glare from horizontal surfaces such as water, snow or the road. Polarised lenses are popular among sailors and motorists for their glare reducing properties.
If you wish to wear sunglasses for a particular sport we would recommend Oakley as their lenses offer specific contrast depending on the conditions you are in and the frames are designed to wrap to your head giving excellent field of view and grip.
We have Maui Jim sunglasses which are world renound for their superior polarising technology and colour enhancing lenses.
Alternatively there are Victoria Beckham, Tiffany, Prada, Paul Smith and Tom Ford as well as some non designer ranges like Botaniq , Ferucci and Morel.
Being outside exposes your eyes to ultra violet light which can cause damage to your vision so wearing a pair of sunglasses whilst on your bike is a good idea. Additionally the lenses will protect your eyes from the drying effects of the wind whilst going at speed and stop dust particles from getting in your eyes.
Cataracts can make you more light sensitive as the light entering your eye through your optical lens which has the cataract causes the light to scatter within the eye thus making it uncomfortable in even the mildest of sunny days. Sunglasses are advised to be worn to reduce this discomfort.