Prevent Eye Damage from UV Rays

Different UV Rays

Before you can prevent eye damage from UV rays, it helps to understand what they are and how they operate. There are three different types of UV rays:

• UVA: These radiation rays are virtually harmless, but are typically absorbed by the lens of the eye.

• UVB Rays: This is the most dangerous type of UV ray and it’s responsible for deep tans, sunburns, eye damage, and skin cancer.

• UVC Rays: UVC rays are the type of radiation that is absorbed by the upper atmosphere of our planet.

Prevent Eye damage from UV Rays: The Steps

Now that we’ve seen the different types of UV rays, it begs the question, “How do you prevent the eye damage caused by UV rays”? The following steps will help:

Choose Protective Eyewear

One of the very best things you can do to prevent eye damage from UV rays is to wear protective eyewear. These sunglasses will shield your eyes from dangerous ultra-violet radiation, even if you tend to wear contact lenses.

Choose Large Frames

When selecting protective eyewear, it's best to choose a pair that is large, with wraparound frames (this way, your entire eye, including your peripheral vision is protected.

So how can you choose the best pair of sunglasses? First, look for a pair that is comfortable. You certainly do not want to spend money on an expensive pair of sunglasses that are uncomfortable because then, understandably, you won’t want to wear them.

Once that’s done, move on to selecting a pair that blocks 99 to 100 percent of UV rays and 75 to 90 percent of visible light. When treated with a UV resistant coating, glass and plastic (CR-39) lenses are all capable of blocking UV radiation. Polycarbonate lenses have a natural UV filter.

The sunglasses you eventually choose should also be free of any imperfections, such as scratches (lenses that are scratched, flawed, or misshapen can pose a problem in how well they protect you).

When it comes to colored lenses, you may also want to consider purchasing gray lenses. While UV protection is obviously more important than the color of the lens itself, gray lenses are advantageous because they reduce light intensity without altering the color of objects.

Wear a Hat

In addition to wearing sunglasses, also consider donning a hat. This way you can double up on UV protection, or if you forget your sunglasses, still have a viable shield between you and the sun’s rays. Note, however, that for the best protection, choose a brimmed hat or a cap.

Problems Caused by UV Rays

Choosing not to prevent your eyes from UV rays can have significant consequences. Some of these consequences include macular degeneration (which is the leading cause of vision loss of older individuals).

Exposure to UV rays can also cause cataracts; the clouding of the eye’s natural lens. A lesser known consequence to UV rays is Pterygium, but it's every bit as dangerous as its better known disease counterparts. Pterygium is a growth that begins on the white of the eye that may or may not involve the cornea. Eventually, this growth can lead to blocked vision.

Skin cancer, of course, is a given when it comes to sun exposure, but did you also know that it’s possible to have skin cancer “around” the eye lids of your eyes? In light of all of these developments, it’s obvious to see why choosing the right pair of sunglasses is of the utmost importance.

Don’t Forget the Little Ones

Now that the damage of UV radiation is so well documented in the scientific community, it also stands to reason that we must protect the delicate eyes and skin of both babies and children. Frubi makes excellent sunglasses for this age group that are scientifically and technologically sound, but still fun enough for children to want to wear them. This way, the entire family is protected.