Saturday, 21 July 2012

Through the glasses darkly


Every season, sunglasses manufacturers add new designs to cater to the needs of people, the sales charts also go up. But is it sufficient for us to make a dash for the glares? The main feature i.e. —filtering of ultraviolet rays or UV is as important as the style.

UV exposure can lead to cataract which means clouding of the natural lens. If UV radiation is not checked then it can easily damage the retina—major cause for blindness.

How glare can inhibit UV rays, you may ask. The surface of the lens is chemically coated which filters out harmful UV rays.

The best way to check for UV protection is to go in for branded glares. They are value for money.

      Apart from UV filters, one should also check the lenses for:

Close fitting and wide enough to cover the eye and its surrounding area.

Light coloured lenses are equally safe to prevent UV rays as the darker ones.

If you are an outdoors person— always driving, boating or fishing, then try polarised lenses.  These are useful in minimising the sun’s reflection from smooth surfaces like pavement and water.

Clarity. Often people go in for cheap glares which might have slight power and are distorted. This can fatigue the eyes. You can check for distortion by turning your head looking at a pole/tree. If the pole wavers, it means there is a slight distortion.

A thin metallic coating reduces the light entering your eyes but it cannot protect fully against UV rays.

Children are the most vulnerable group where UV rays are the strongest.


No comments:

Post a Comment