Choosing Sunglasses For Safest UV Protection
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© Photographer: Nejron | Agency: Dreamstime.com
The sun is the earth’s primary source of Ultraviolet radiation (UV), which is divided into at least three different categories based on wavelength:
UVA – 320-400 nm are only slightly affected by ozone levels.
Most UVA radiation is able to reach the earth’s surface and can contribute to tanning, skin aging, eye damage, and immune suppression. UV 400 Protection lenses are engineered to block 100% of all harmful blue light up to 400 nanometers
UVB – 280-320 nm are strongly affected by ozone levels.
Decreases in stratospheric ozone mean that more UVB radiation can reach the earth’s surface, causing sunburns, snow blindness, immune suppression, and a variety of skin problems including skin cancer and premature aging.
UVC – 100-280 nm are very strongly affected by ozone levels
The levels of UVC radiation reaching the earth’s surface are relatively small.
Solar UV radiation levels are highest during the middle of the day, and in total, almost half the daytime total UV radiation is received during the few hours around noon.
Exposure to small amounts of UV radiation over a period of many years may increase the chance of developing a cataract, and could cause irreversible damage to the retina.
It is always strongly recommended to wear quality sunglasses that offer protection to UV400 level, which will block out 99 – 100% of both UV-A and UV-B radiation and screen out 75 – 90% of visible light.






