We all know that sunglasses are extremely important to protect our eyes but do you know how they really work? Sunglasses can help our eyes in two important ways. They help filter light and they protect against the damaging rays of the sun.
There are three types of rays that the sun emits:
- Visible – what you see as color
- Infrared – what you feel as heat
- Ultraviolet or UV radiation – These invisible UV rays can damage our eyes. Constant exposure to bright sunlight can damage the cornea (the clear outer part of the eye that allows light through to the retina), the lens (the part of the eye responsible for focusing), and the retina (the innermost layer of the eye that sends an image to the brain). Sunglasses that reduce glare and filter 99-100% of ultraviolet (UV) rays are essential. They should be comfortable and protect our eyes without any distortion.