Healthcare professionals recommend eye protection whenever the sun comes
out to protect the eyes from ultraviolet radiation (UV) and blue light, which
can cause several serious eye problems.
Sunglasses offer protection against these dangerous effects of the sun.
Medical experts advise the public on the importance of wearing sunglasses to
protect the eyes from UV; for adequate protection, experts recommend sunglasses
that reflect or filter out 99-100% of UVA and UVB light, with wavelengths up to
400 nm. Sunglasses which meet this requirement are often labeled as
“UV400.”
Assessing the protection of
sunglasses
The common way to assess the protection of sunglasses is to have the
lenses measured, either by the manufacturer or by a properly equipped optician.
Several standards for sunglasses allow a general classification of the UV
protection (but not the blue light protection), and manufacturers often
indicate simply that the sunglasses meet the requirements of a specific
standard rather than publish the exact figures.
The only “visible” quality test for sunglasses is their fit.
The lenses should fit close enough to the face that only very little
“stray light” can reach the eye from their sides, or from above or
below, but not so close that the eyelashes smear the lenses. To protect against
“stray light” from the sides, the lenses should fit close enough to
the temples and/or merge into broad temple arms or leather blinders.
It is not possible to “see” the protection that sunglasses
offer. Dark lenses do not automatically filter out more harmful UV radiation
and blue light as compared to light lenses.
Is High Price of A Sun Glass
a Quality Indicator?
High prices cannot guarantee sufficient protection as no correlation
between high prices and increased UV protection has been demonstrated, say
Swedish researchers.
Swedish National Testing and Research Institute conducted a thorough
test of nine pairs of sunglasses sold in Scandinavia in all price ranges. The
test shows that H & M glasses for 60 NOK protect equally well against UV
radiation just as Tom Ford glasses over 3.000 NOK do.
-If glasses are CE marked, so they protect your eyes well. And all sun
glasses are to be marked with CE to be legally sold in Norway, says Norwegian
consumer Council.
Yet, the council warns
against fake labels
– It does not mean that you indiscriminately buy the first and most
affordable sunglasses you come across. There are unfortunately examples of
false labels. The risk of becoming a victim of such fraud can dramatically
reduce, if you choose to buy sunglasses in a trustworthy shop. Buying
sunglasses on the street or on the beach is not recommended, adds the council.
Nine most counterfeited products