Protecting the eyes is as important as protecting any other body part. Just like wearing clothes, hats, and sunscreens that protect our body and the skin, eyes also need protection from the harmful rays of the sun. Sunglasses are an excellent form of protection for the eyes and can prevent the eyes from the harmful rays of the sun.
They also help in maintaining good and clear vision even with bright sunlight and glare especially when driving in the day. Sunglasses help in cooling the eyes from the natural heat and protecting the eyes from sun’s radiation, especially for those who have light sensitivity or wear contact lenses that tend to get dry and irritable.
Basics of Sunglasses
Sunglasses are made from photochromic material and are often combined with polarisation to help cool and soothe the eyes when worn in sunlight. It helps in clear vision during bright daylight as it cuts down on the sun’s rays using polarisation effect.
It blocks the UV rays of the sun that can enter the eyes and cause strain and ageing of the vision. It also helps in minimising the eventual effects of ageing due to sun exposure such as dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles etc
The sunlight is made up of UV radiation that consists of UVA, UVB and UVC types of radiation. UVA rays are more penetrating and can reach all the way to the retina of the eye. It also causes photodamage to the eye when exposed for a long duration.
UVB radiation is less penetrating but is equally prevalent in the atmosphere. It can penetrate as far as the cornea and can cause dryness and irritation if exposed for a long time. UVA and UVB along with visible light enters the eye but the UV radiation does more damage than anything to the eye.
When we wear sunglasses, it is possible to cut off as much as 99% of all the harmful UV radiation by diverting away these rays of light from entering the eyes. Only the visible light enters the sunglasses and goes through to the eye and all of the UV radiation can effectively stay away from the eyes.
Caring for your sunglasses
Sunglasses can be quite expensive to buy as they are made with photochromic material with polarisation. Polarisation is the ability to also cool down the effect of harmful sun radiation and heat that enters the eyes and provide for clearer vision even with bright glaring sunlight. Good care must be taken of sunglasses to make them last longer. Some of the best tips are mentioned below:
- One of the most important points is to always keep the sunglasses in its own box and take them out whenever required.
- Do not mix sunglasses with sharp objects that can scratch the surface of the glasses such as keys, pins, metal articles etc.
- Do not leave the sunglasses out in the sun such as on the dashboard or in the open area as this can melt away the protective layer on top of the glasses.
- Always handle the glasses with both hands. Using a single hand can cause lack of balance and loosening of the hinges on either side of the sunglasses causing them to sit oddly.
- Sunglasses should always be protected by wiping the surface of the glass and protecting from the settlement of dust particles on the glasses.
