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Ultraviolet radiation - what is it?
Find out how to protect your eyes from UV light

Ultraviolet radiation, which often also functions under the name UV, is an environmental factor that is present in our daily lives.
Contrary to popular opinion, harmful radiation reaches us not only on sunny days at the beach or in the water, but also, for example, in winter, reflected from the snow.
From our article you will learn not only what UV radiation is, but also why it is especially important to protect children`s eyes.
We will also answer the question of how and why to protect eyesight from UV radiation

1. What is ultraviolet radiation and why is it dangerous for children`s eyesight?

• Division of ultraviolet radiation

2. why is it important to protect eyes from UV radiation?

3. why are children`s eyes more vulnerable to harmful UV radiation? Learn the reasons.

4. how to protect eyes from UV radiation?

5. source materials

What is UV radiation and why
is dangerous for children`s eyesight?

Electromagnetic radiation, some of which we perceive as visible light, reaches the Earth from the SunVisible light accounts for only a portion of the radiation emitted by the Sun and is radiation with wavelengths ranging from about 400 nm (violet-colored light) to about 720 nm (red-colored light).

In addition to visible light, ultraviolet radiation reaches the Earth`s surface, which is not perceptible by human eyes,
however - importantly - it carries much more energy.

Ultraviolet radiation (UV, from the English ultraviolet) includes wavelengths from 280 nm to 380 nm (or 400 nm, depending on the source).
This is also the origin of the filter designation, which is present in the lenses of all our glasses: Real Shades, Olivio&Co, Mokki and ShadezUV400 - stands for a filter that traps wavelengths up to 400 nm, or ultraviolet (UV).

Studies show that UV negatively affects human eyes, especially children`s eyesChildren`s eyes have much more translucent intraocular lenses compared to adults, and they also have larger pupil diametersThese factors cause more harmful radiation to reach the retina, which can cause permanent changes in the structures of the eye.

Division of ultraviolet radiation

Ultraviolet radiation is divided into three typesWhat characterizes them?

• UVC: are wavelengths of 100-280 nm, which are trapped by the atmosphere and generally do not reach the Earth`s surface,
• UVB: are wavelengths of 280-320 nm, most are absorbed by the ozone layer in the atmosphere,
• UVA: are wavelengths of 320-380 nm (or 400 nm depending on the source), about 95% of UVA radiation reaches the Earth`s surface.

Why should you protect your eyes from
UV radiation?

Everyone knows what natural methods our body uses to protect itself from too much radiation: squinting, tearing the eyes, constricting the pupilHowever, not everyone knows that despite such protection, a large amount of UV radiation penetrates deep into the eye.
This can cause disease and degenerative changes in the retina.
It is also worth knowing that changes in the retina are cumulative, so the longer we expose our eyes to high-energy radiation (including blue light - read more), the greater the chance of developing a number of ophthalmic conditions, such as:

• pterygium,
• adipoma,
• post-sun damage to the macula (solar retinopathy),
• inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea on the background of dry eye syndrome,
• tumors of the conjunctiva and cornea,
• neoplasms of the eyelids,
• cataracts,
• choroidal melanoma,
• age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Why are children`s eyes more vulnerable to
To harmful UV radiation? Learn more about the reasons

Children`s eyes require more UVprotection than adult eyes for several reasons:
First, the lens in a child`s eye is more translucent than in an adult`s, and the diameter of the pupil is larger, allowing more UV radiation to penetrate the retina - increasing the risk of damage to the eye`s internal structures.
Second, children generally spend more time outdoors and are often not sufficiently aware of the need to wear sunglasses, which increases their exposure to UV radiationLong-term exposure to UV radiation from an early age can lead to serious eye diseases in later life, including the development of cataracts or macular degeneration.

During autumn and winter, when the sun is lower on the horizon, we should also remember to protect our eyes from harmful UV radiationUV radiation can reach the eyes intensely - especially when the sun reflects off snow or ice (this increases the exposure of the unprotected eye to UV radiation by up to 100 times).

How to protect your eyes from UV radiation

Fortunately, thanks to the development of technology, UV protection is at our fingertips - all sunglasses in our offer (for children and adults) have a UV400 filter, as confirmed by laboratory tests - so naturally we encourage the use of sunglasses.

At the same time, it is not worth avoiding the sun excessively - remember that when the skin is exposed to sunlight, a process is triggered that converts cholesterol in the skin into vitamin DVitamin D, in turn, strengthens bones (supports the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the diet), supports the immune system, affects muscle function, reduces inflammation, and affects mental healthSo let`s enjoy outdoor activities - and protect our eyesight in a smart, proven way in the process.

Source material:

• WHO:
  https://www.who.int/uv/faq/uvhealtfac/en/index3.html
  Shortcut: the effectiveness of the eye`s natural protection mechanisms against too much bright light is limited in relation to UV radiationConsequences of too much UV eye exposure: keratitis, pterygium, cataracts, eye cancer,
• Environ Health Perspect1991 Dec; 96: 177-184, doi: 10.1289/ehp.9196177 , F J van Kuijk
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1568237/
  Abstract: Cataract formation and retinal degeneration are related to exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
• WHO:
  https://www.who.int/uv/faq/protect/en/index7.html
  Shortcut: Exposure to UV radiation can cause irreversible damageSunglasses help protect the eyesWHO recommends measures to protect children from UV radiation, including sunglasses.