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How UV Rays Can Affect Your Vision

With Summer quickly upon us, it’s important to keep your eyes safe in the sun. Wearing hats that shade the face or wearing sunglasses is the easiest way to protect yourself, but do you know just how much UV rays can affect your vision? Read on to find out more…

The effects of UV Rays

Ultraviolet rays are a type of light from the sun that is invisible to the human eye. Extensive exposure to these rays can cause eye and vision issues. There are two types of UV rays that can cause damage. UV-A can affect your central vision, damaging the macula, a part of your retina, whereas UV-B can hurt the front part of your eye and can often cause more damage than UV-A rays.

UV Rays can cause the following problems:

How can I prevent damage?

The best way to prevent any UV damage to your eyes is wearing sunglasses that offer 100% UVA and UVB protection. You should wear these glasses whenever you are outdoors in daylight, even on cloudy days as these rays can get through clouds.

It’s especially important to ensure children are protected as they are more susceptible due to their eyes being clearer, allowing more UV rays to penetrate deep into the eye.

Whilst some contact lenses can block UV rays, you still need to wear sunglasses. This is because contact lenses only shield the part under the lens of your eye, so you still need to protect the tissues that are not covered by the lens.

The importance of new sunglasses

Have you been wearing the same sunglasses for years? Old or scratched sunglasses can let through more UV light than intended, putting your eyes in danger. Therefore, it is important that you replace your sunglasses regularly so that you can give your eyes the best protection.

Get quality glasses

Consumer magazine Which? found that 71% of the sunglasses purchased from large high street stores failed the British Standard causing distorted vision, headaches and some pairs even being illegal for driving. It’s not worth risking your comfort and eye health, buy your sunglasses from eye experts instead of fashion stores.

Every pair of sunglasses you buy from Buchanan Optometrists will give you 100% UVA and UVB protection as well as meeting the stringent British and European sunglass lens standards. Come in and browse our range of sunglasses and ask our dispensing opticians for their expert advice. Call in today or book a consultation on 01634 757227 and give your eyes the best care.