Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can be harmful to your eyes, and many lenses today come with a UV coating already built in. If the lenses you choose do not, we recommend adding one. Plastic (CR-39) do not block UV. All other lenses from theyedoctor.com do block harmful UV rays. Many parents choose to add a UV coating to their children's lenses to ensure the safety of their eyesight for years to come.
Q: What is UV?
UV is ultraviolet radiation, and is sometimes called the "sunburn rays." The sun produces many types of radiation. Some is the light we need for seeing. There is also infrared radiation that is invisible but felt as heat. Ultraviolet radiation is also invisible.
Q: Can UV radiation hurt our eyes?
More and more scientific evidence shows that long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation can damage our eyes. With the thinning of the earth's ozone layer and the growing popularity of outdoor activities, there is a strong possibility that UV-related eye disorders will increase within the next decade.
Ultraviolet radiation may contribute to the development of various eye disorders, such as macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss among older Americans, and cataracts, a major cause of visual impairment and blindness around the world.
Q: Who is at risk?
Everyone—including children—is at risk for eye damage that can lead to vision loss from exposure to UV radiation. Any factor that increases your exposure to sunlight will increase your risk. People whose work or leisure activities involve lengthy exposure to sunlight are at the greatest risk.
Q: How can we protect our eyes?
Using both a brimmed hat or cap and UV-absorbing eyewear can provide protection from sunlight. A wide-brimmed hat or cap will block roughly 50 percent of the UV radiation and reduce the UV radiation that may enter the eyes from above or around glasses. Ultraviolet-absorbing eyewear provides the greatest measure of UV protection. Examine labels carefully to ensure that the lenses absorb at least 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B. Be wary of labels that claim "Provides UV Protection" without specifying exactly what percentage of UV rays the product blocks.