100% UV Protection Sunglasses - All You Need To Know!

Sunglasses are more than just a fashion accessory, they are very essential for safeguarding your eyes from the harmful effects of UV rays. That's why 100% UV protection sunglasses are a must-have when stepping out into the sun, even for a short period of time. But how do you know if your sunglasses offer adequate UV protection? Well, look for the label that says "100% UV protection" or "UV400," which indicates that they block both UV-A and UV-B rays.

UV400 sunglasses come in various types, from pilots to squares and everything in between, so you can find a style that suits your taste. But remember, style shouldn't come at the expense of protection.

Investing in a quality pair of UV protection sunglasses not only protects your eyes, but also reduces the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye conditions caused by UV exposure. So, the next time you step out into the sun, make sure to grab your UV400 sunglasses and enjoy the outdoors without compromising your eye health.

Now, let’s quickly jump to the question you might have about uv protection sunglasses -

Why do you need UV protection sunglasses?

Ah, the sun. The source of warmth and light that makes life on Earth possible. But wait, hold on to your hats (and sunglasses), there's a darker side to our beloved sun - its UV rays. Yes, you read that right. Those rays of ultraviolet light that give us a nice tan or burn, are not just harmful but can cause some serious eye and skin problems.

Let's get into the nitty-gritty of these UV rays. There are three types - UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. The good news is that most of the UV-C rays are absorbed by the ozone layer, so we don't have to worry about them. But the not-so-good news is that UV-A and UV-B rays pass through the atmosphere and can wreak havoc on our eyes and skin. And it's not just the sun that emits these rays, but also everyday machinery like tanning beds, welding machines, and lasers.

Now, if you're someone who loves to bask in the sun for hours on end, you might want to pay attention. The damage caused by these rays can lead to some serious health issues, let’s have a quick look -

• Cataracts - are a condition where your natural lens in the eye turns cloudy, leading to hazy vision and increased sensitivity to light.
• Macular Degeneration -, on the other hand, is an age-related eye problem that damages the retina and can lead to vision loss.
• Pterygium - is a non-cancerous growth that gradually covers the white region of the eye, causing irritation and a risk of disfiguring the eye.
• Skin Cancer - And let's not forget about skin cancer, which can develop after a series of severe sunburns. The delicate area around the eyes is especially vulnerable to basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. Ouch.
• Photokeratitis - is a painful eye condition caused by exposure to UV rays, which can lead to inflammation, redness, headaches, and even temporary loss of vision.

In the worst-case scenario, prolonged exposure to UV-A and UV-B rays can lead to complete loss of eyesight. But don't panic just yet, that's a pretty rare occurrence.

So, what's the takeaway from all of this? Protect yourself from those harmful UV rays! Wear sunglasses that provide UV protection, use sunscreen with at least SPF 30, and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during peak hours. And if you're feeling fancy, throw on a hat for extra protection. Your eyes and skin will thank you.

What is the ideal ultraviolet protection for sunglasses?

Did you know that UV rays from the sun can do serious damage to your eyes? It's true! UV-A rays can harm your eye's natural lens, leading to macular degeneration and even permanent blindness. And if that wasn't bad enough, UV-B rays can mess with the outer cells of your cornea, causing pain and blurred vision. Yikes!

But don't worry, there's a simple solution: UV protection sunglasses. And not just any old shades will do - you want to look for ones that offer 100% protection against both UV-A and UV-B rays. These are labeled as "UV400", which means they block out rays with a wavelength up to 400 nanometers. That covers the entire range of UV-A and UV-B, which is exactly what you want.

Anything less than UV400 just won't cut it. So, if you want to keep your eyes safe and sound, make sure to grab a pair of UV400 sunglasses before you hit the beach. Your eyes will thank you!

Which types of sunglasses have UV protection?

A number of distinct types of sunglasses offer UV protection. Every situation might call for a different kind. Here are 5 types you need to know about when choosing the best UV protection for sunglasses.

Mirror coated lenses: A highly polished mirror like ultra-thin coating ultra-thin coating turns ordinary lenses into mirror coated lenses. While these are not great at protecting you from the harmful UV rays, they at least take care of the bright light and deflect it with their reflective molecules. This ensures the blockage of quite a good chunk of light that could potentially cause harm. Mirror coated glasses are mostly used by people indulging in snow sports and related activities, as a great amount of light can reflect from the snow and harm the eyes, which the mirror coated lenses do not allow.

Blue light glasses: Blue light is a part of UV light that can cause eye strains, dry eyes, and headaches and may even hamper our sleep. These are mostly used by pilots, skiers, and people like you and I, who sit on their laptops, phones, and tablets all day long. Blue light glasses at Specscart have an advanced X-blue coating that blocks blue light and saves you from various eye troubles. Unlike other blue blocker lenses in the market, lenses of our uv protection sunglasses are not tinted and therefore, offer crystal clear vision.

Photochromic glasses: Also known as transition lenses, these are light adaptive lenses that change to dark when exposed to UV light and turn back clear when you get indoors. Now since the lenses have a layer of molecules that absorbs the UV rays completely, they become a great option as 100% UV protection sunglasses. With them on your twinkling eyes, neither do you have to worry about squinting and harming your eyes in the sun, nor about the regular clear vision when you need it indoors.

Polarised UV sunglasses: You might have heard the term polarised used a lot of times with sunglasses. That’s because a coating of polarisation film can help eliminate glare by blocking polarised light. They are excellent for people who are more sensitive to light and also for skiers, bikers, and those who love outdoor activities and who cannot let distraction from glare caused by UV light hurt them.

Gradient lens sunglasses: These sunglasses have a darker tint on the top half of the lenses and a lighter tint on the bottom half. So any overhead light from the sky gets shunned because of the darker tint portion without hampering the vision beneath. These are awesome for drivers who must see the dashboard clearly without squinting because of the light from the sun. Not to mention, these lenses also have an anti-UV protective coating that’s made up of molecules which readily absorb harmful light.

Is 100% UV protection the same as polarisation?

Let's talk about polarised sunglasses and 100% UV protection sunglasses, two heroes in the world of eyewear that save us from the harmful rays of the sun.

Polarised sunglasses are like the bouncers, kicking out glare that reflects off flat surfaces like ponds and roads. They make sure that our vision remains clear and crisp even when we're squinting in bright sunlight. But, there's a catch - they don't block 100% of UV light. So, while they might make our eyes feel comfortable, they don't provide full protection against the harmful rays of the sun.

On the other hand, 100% UV protection sunglasses are like the superheroes of the eyewear world. They're capable of blocking both UV-A and UV-B rays completely, thanks to their UV400 lenses.

To put it simply, polarised sunglasses and 100% UV protection sunglasses are like the difference between a light sweatshirt and a thick overcoat. Both serve their purpose, but when it comes to protection from the sun, you definitely want the overcoat.

So, while polarised sunglasses might make you look cool, 100% UV protection sunglasses are the real heroes that keep your eyes safe and sound. Choose wisely!

The pairs you buy at Specscart, be it JERICHO 3 or any other, are both polarised and 100% UV protection sunglasses. So, this is not something you got to worry about when buying your sunglasses with us.

How can you tell if your sunglasses are UV protected?

When buying sunglasses most people make this mistake of focusing on the element of fashion more than the utility of the pair. In that case, you should buy your 100% UV protection sunglasses from brands like Specscart where you will get the best of both worlds.

Now, how do you confirm if the pair you have bought does in fact provide 100% UV protection and is not just a selfie prop?

1. Check for the label - If a brand has used UV400 lenses that protect against both UV-A and UV-B rays then they will certainly put a claiming label saying something like ’100% UV protection sunglasses’ or ‘100% protection against UV-A and UV-B rays’. You will find a similar label like this on all sunglasses bought from Specscart.

2. Visit your local optician nearby and ask them to check the sunglasses for you - You can visit Specscart’s store in Bury or Walkden if that’s nearby. Our opticians will check your sunglasses with the help of a UV-meter for free.

However, make sure that you are not mistaking polarised glasses, gradient glasses, blue light glasses or mirror-coated glasses as 100% UV protection sunglasses. Because they are not! They only have coatings that save you from a part of UV light and not from UV-A and UV-B rays completely.

Although, if these coatings like the polarisation one or anti-blue light coating are on top of UV400 lenses, then these glasses can certainly be called 100% UV protection sunglasses.

How to test UV sunglasses at home?

There isn’t any harm in testing out your sunglasses at home. Simply follow these steps -

• Find a UV flashlight and search for a fluorescent thing that will glow even in the dark (highlighters are fluorescent too, so maybe they can help).
• Shine the flashlight through the lenses you are trying to check.
• If you see the object still glowing, it means those aren’t 100% UV protection sunglasses.

You can try the same method with a credit card or paper money that has built-in security elements. These also glow when UV light is shone on them. And if even after wearing glasses and passing the ultraviolet light through them you find that those elements are visible, it means that your pair is not built with UV400 lenses.

How long does UV protection last on sunglasses?

Does reading this question shock you too? We are for certain! Who thought UV protection just like any dose of vaccine also expires? Now that you know it does, let us tell you the answer.

According to this study done in August 2017 in the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, the UV protection on a pair of sunglasses lasted for about two years. The participants of the study were Brazilians who spend around 2 hours on average under the sun daily. So, if you use your pair for about the same duration under the sun on a day to day basis, the same applies to you. It means as soon as you complete two years of wearing your sunglasses, you have to throw those lenses in the bin just like you do with expired medicine.

• What if you use it more often - If you work outdoors or have too many vacations to cherish on the beach, you might then need to regularly change your pairs in less time.
• What causes the sun protection to fade away so soon - It is the scratches and the regular wear and tear to blame here.

Anyways, at Specscart we always suggest you to have different pairs for different occasions. A frame for every game you see! If that’s how you use sunglasses, you are in luck because now your favourite sunglasses might not expire as often and you may be able to use them occasionally for years to come.