As the weather gets warmer and the sun comes out, it is important to protect your eyes. Two common threats, especially in the warmer seasons, are UV radiation and sunglare. It is, therefore, necessary to wear the proper eye protection to prevent problems with vision and damage to the eyes caused by the sun.
What is UV radiation?
UV (Ultraviolet) radiation is a form of optical radiation, which comes from the sun. It is on the invisible spectrum. UV rays include wavelengths from 100 – 380 nm. The properties of UV light pose a risk to the eyes without the correct protection, just as UV rays from the sun can damage the skin without the correct sunscreen.
UV radiation is split into three different types: UVA, UVB and UVC. They are based on the measure of their wavelength. UVA rays have the longest wavelength. People will usually only come in to contact with UVA rays, and a small amount of UVB rays.
What is sunglare?
Sunglare is a type of solar radiation in the visible light spectrum, including wavelengths 380 – 780 nm. It is sunglare that prevents us from being able to see properly in bright conditions, without using sunglasses or an appropriate shade. Sunglare on water or other reflective surfaces can be extremely dangerous for operatives driving or operating machinery, as well as causing damage to the eyes themselves.
Why protect against UV radiation and sunglare?
Harmful optical radiation can damage the eyes in different ways depending on its wavelength and properties. Visual complaints caused by UV radiation and sunglare are often temporary but can lead to long-term problems. Partial or total blindness can be caused by exposure to UV radiation, which can occur suddenly or gradually over time. UV radiation can also cause an inflammation of the cornea known as ‘photokeratitis’ – snow blindness is an extreme form of photokeratitis.
It is also important to protect against sunglare to avoid other injuries or accidents. While solar radiation can cause significant damage to the eyes, it also has the potential to prevent workers from being able to see properly which can lead to trips and falls as well as more serious injuries when using machinery.
Which products provide UV protection?
Eye protectors with shade markings beginning 2-, 2C-, 3-, or 5- provide certified protection against UV radiation. Lenses beginning 5- offer sunglare protection and provide higher levels of UV protection because they are a darker shade, allowing less light to pass through.
Spectacles, goggles, and faceshields are available with UV protective lenses. For the best levels of protection, use lenses manufactured with a special additive that filters UV light in the 400nm range – these are commonly referred to as ‘UV400 lenses’.
Which products provide sunglare protection?Eye protectors with shade markings beginning 5- or 6- provide certified protection against sunglare. These types of lenses also provide UV protection at a higher level than clear lenses due to the darker shade. Options for sunglare filtering include smoke, indoor / outdoor, mirrored, and polarised lenses.
Mirrored lenses offer the ideal protection against sunglare, reflecting solar rays before filtering UV radiation. Polarised lenses block horizontal reflections, eliminating glare, making them ideal for driving and working around water.
Smoke lenses marked 5-2.5 offer glare protection while providing true colour recognition, important for applications involving driving. Darker smoke shades are most suitable in direct sunlight and bright glare conditions.
Indoor / outdoor lenses marked 5-1.4 to 5-1.7 provide UV and sunglare protection, and also reduce the dazzling effects of blue light. These lenses are ideal when moving between light and dark areas. Safety spectacles generally offer the widest range of lens shade options for sunglare protection, but goggles and faceshields are also available with sunglare protective lenses. Find out more about our range of eye protection and face protection. Have more questions on eye protection? Check out our eye protection FAQ.