Get back behind the shades

Valentina drivers-gold. Sunshack Sunglasses.

By Hollie Harris

 Extended exposure to the sun’s UV rays has been linked to eye damage, including cataracts, macular degeneration, pingueculae, pterygia and photokeratitis that can cause temporary vision loss.

To protect your eyes from harmful solar radiation, sunglasses should block 100 percent of Ultra Violet or UV rays and also absorb most of high-energy visible (HEV) radiation, or blue light. Although HEV rays have longer wavelengths (400-500 nm) and lower energy than UV rays, they penetrate deeply into the eye and can cause retinal damage.

While some blue light (blue turquoise) regulates our biological clock, retina harming blue-violet light is a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). By filtering it out with Spectral Control® technology helps preserve your sight.

Serengeti® Spectral Control® technology excels at diminishing atmospheric haze, filtering up to 96% of blue light to reduce blue blur and visible noise, while enhancing contrast and sharpness. As the founder of Photochromic technology Serengeti leads the industry in creating lenses that adapt to any light condition in any setting.

Surprisingly, cloud cover doesn’t affect UV levels significantly. Your risk of UV exposure can be quite high even on hazy or overcast days. This is because UV is invisible radiation, not visible light, and can penetrate clouds.

Also, children are more susceptible to retinal damage from UV rays because the lens inside a child’s eye is clearer than an adult lens, enabling more UV to penetrate deep into the eye. Serengiti sunglasses are available at Sunshack Sunglasses shop in Noosa Civic Shopping. T:07-5474 3066.