Last year, I bumped into an old work friend, and they were complaining about sore eyes. They had bought a pair of supposedly UV protection sunglasses from a market stall, and the sticker on the lenses said "CAT 3, UV400, 100% UV protected." After a day on the beach wearing her glasses, she had literally burned the back of her eyeballs. It turned out the lenses in her glasses were not protecting her eyes.
Here's a scary fact: Eyes are 10 times more sensitive to UV than your skin, and there's no way you'd buy cheap sunscreen. So why do it with sunglasses?
Summer is a season of fun in the sun, with beach trips, outdoor adventures, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. While we often remember to lather on sunscreen to protect our skin from the harmful effects of UV rays, it's equally important to consider the protection of our eyes. The summer sun may be inviting, but the potential harm of UV rays to our eyes should not be underestimated.
In this blog post, we'll emphasize the importance of UV protection for your eyes during the summer months and discuss the specific UV protection features of our sunglasses.
The Dangers of UV Rays
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is classified into UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. UVA rays can prematurely age the skin and contribute to wrinkles and age spots, while UVB rays are responsible for sunburn and can increase the risk of skin cancer. However, the effects of these rays aren't limited to your skin – they can have equally detrimental impacts on your eyes.
Cataracts: Prolonged exposure to UV rays, especially UVB, has been linked to the development of cataracts, a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which can lead to impaired vision.
Photokeratitis: This condition, also known as "snow blindness" or "sunburn of the eye," is caused by intense exposure to UVB rays, resulting in temporary vision loss, pain, and light sensitivity.
Macular Degeneration: UV radiation may contribute to the progression of age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss in adults.
Pterygium: Extended UV exposure can cause the growth of a non-cancerous growth on the eye's surface called pterygium, which can affect vision and require surgical removal.
The Role of Sunglasses in UV Protection
Sunglasses are your best defense against the harmful effects of UV rays on your eyes. However, not all sunglasses are created equal. Inexpensive or counterfeit sunglasses may not provide the necessary protection, putting your eyes at risk.
At Good Citizens, we take your eye health seriously. Our sunglasses are equipped with top-of-the-line UV protection features, including:
Certified UV Protection: Over 50% of sunglasses sold globally do not provide certified UV protection. Our sunglasses meet industry standards and are designed to effectively block both UVA and UVB rays.
Carl Zeiss Vision Lenses: We take pride in using Carl Zeiss Vision lenses in our glasses, a brand renowned for its optical excellence. These lenses offer high-quality UV protection and ensure your vision remains crisp and clear while shielding your eyes from harmful rays.
Polarized Lenses: Our sunglasses come with polarized lenses that not only block UV rays but also reduce glare, making them an ideal choice for activities like driving, fishing, and water sports.
Full Coverage: Our sunglass designs prioritize full coverage to shield your eyes from all angles, leaving no room for stray UV rays to harm your vision.
Here are our top tips to finish:
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Buy from a reputable vendor. Check all packaging to make sure the right safety standards are met and ask them to prove it.
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Avoid cheap sunglasses. Cheap equals non-protective lenses = damaged eyes.
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Invest in quality sunglasses that offer certified UV protection.
Now, it's time to get out into the sun and enjoy it... protected, of course. 😉
Any questions please contact us
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Good Citizens is a global fashion leader in sustainable design. All of our sunglasses, readers and prescription frames are 100% recycled from one 600ml discarded plastic bottle. We prioritise sustainable business practices, from using 100% recycled materials, being carbon negative (not just carbon neutral) to our modular design that allows for easy repair and recycling of broken parts.
We're the most awarded eyewear brand in Australia and globally acknowledged for our best practice approach.
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