1.800.523.1141

Facts about UV

FACT – UVA & UVB RAYS ARE HARMFUL More and more people are aware of the dangers caused by the sun. Your eyes, as well as your skin are at risk every time you step outside. You can reduce the risks of damaging your eyes by wearing sunglasses.

What does ultraviolet (UV) mean?
Ultraviolet is simply one type of energy that is emitted from the sun. At school we learned about light and the electromagnetic spectrum. The ultraviolet rays are simply a component of that spectrum. Other rays that are emitted include microwaves and visible light

Why can’t we see UV rays?
The only rays of the spectrum we see are visible light. Our eyes simply cannot detect the other rays due to their frequency. However just because we cannot see them does not mean we cannot feel or sense them.

Why is UV protection important?
We are surrounded by UV radiation all the time. The quantity depends on the conditions outside such as direct sun and the clouds. UV rays can be reflected.

What is a nanometer?
A nanometer is simply a unit of measurement. It is equal to one-millionth of a millimetre. Light rays move with a wavelength small enough that this is the most applicable way of measuring them.

Why do we need UV protection for our eyes?
The supposed depletion of the earth’s ozone layer has made the need for protection from any of the sun’s rays important. It is believed, but not proven, that ultraviolet rays cause photokeratitis, which is cancer of the eye.

What do UVA, UVB and UVC mean?
This is a further breakdown of ultraviolet rays within their component of the electromagnetic spectrum. Ultraviolet rays travel with a wavelength of 10 to 400nm. UVA has a wavelength of 320 to 400nm and causes sunburn, UVB travels in the range of 280 to 320nm, causes sunburn and kills bacteria. UVC is from 100 to 280nm and is usually filtered out by the ozone layer. RADIATION.

What does UV400 mean?
This is an optical industry standard. It means that the lenses are made to protect your eyes against UV rays up to 400 nanometers in wavelength.

How do my lenses protect my eyes from UV rays?
A special clear coating is applied to the lenses. This is either on the front or back of the lens, or sometimes both. Obviously this is a transparent coating and can be applied to any color of lens including clear.


Polarization

For anyone that spends lengthy periods outside whether for work or recreation you will at times be affected by glare, interfering with your vision. Technically, glare is a way of describing light wave transmission, reflected or refracted, that is aligned into a directional plane. Light is referred to as ‘polarized’ when aligned in this way. A polarized lens filters direct light and eliminates polarized light.