choose sunglasses this can be more difficult than it looks. Sometimes we think it’s enough to decide if we want them in aviator or cat’s eye, in a color that goes with everything, or in something a little more edgy. We see them as to complement, but there are many more. It’s about security element for our eyes, so just as we protect our skin with sunscreen, we must also choose the right sunglasses.
For this, the first tip is usually buy them at the optician. It is true that in some clothing and accessories stores we can already find approved sunglasses, but usually, if we want to take care of our health, it is best to do it in a specific institution, such as an optician.
On the other hand, depending on our case, we must choose sunglasses with one filter or another. Your level of protection numbered from 0 to 4 and it depends on factors such as the activity we are going to do or the color of our eyes. This is also a good reason to buy them in optics, because the people who work there will be able to tell us. But generally speaking, what does each number mean and how can we choose the best one for us?
Our eyes protect themselves but fail
We know that our skin has its own mechanism solar radiation protection. This consists in generating melanin, a pigment that absorbs this radiation, preventing it from reaching the innermost layers of the skin and damaging its genetic material. In addition, it is melanin that is responsible for the fact that we turn brown. But he has a limit beyond which he cannot absorb more. That’s when burns appear, and over time, spots or, in the worst case, skin cancer.
Something similar happens with the eyes, which can be read in Open your eyes!recently released book Cum Lillo. They protect themselves from excess light through melanin synthesized by melanosomes inside the eye. However, the same thing happens to them. When they fail, the light continues to penetrate and photoreceptor depletionwhich causes photophobia. In addition, it contributes to the aging of pigment epithelial cells, which ultimately causes vision problems.
And with ultraviolet radiation, the same thing happens to the skin. May cause DNA mutations which can eventually lead to cancer as well as many other eye diseases. There are many reasons to choose sunglasses as more than just an accessory. But let’s see how we should do it.
Pay attention to filters when choosing sunglasses.
Sunglasses protect us from solar radiation with filters that are classified from 0 to 4 depending on how dark they are.
As we already know, the darker the surface, the more light it absorbs, so higher filters absorb more solar radiation.
So, with number 0 classify sunglasses with very clear lenses that only absorb 0% to 19% light. They are usually used indoors or for driving, even at night, but they are useless if we are going to be outside in direct sunlight.
WITH 1st level we have glasses with filters that absorb from 20% to 56% from sunlight. They can be used outdoors, but with soft lighting, such as city lighting.
then we have levels 2 and 3whose filters absorb from 57% to 81% and from 82% to 92% respectively. They are most commonly used as they are used for medium to high light conditions, even on the beach or in the mountains. The latter refers primarily to type 3, which is most recommended for people with light eyes, since they have little melanin.
Finally, we might think that level 4 is the best of all and that we should always look for it, but the truth is that it is only used in extreme conditions. This is a filter that absorbs very strong radiation, even if it is reflected from surfaces such as water or snow. For this reason, people who practice skiing or water sports and want to choose sunglasses, you must opt for them.
Finally, it should be noted that levels 1, 2 and 3 can be used for driving, but not at night. 4 is best left alone for the edge cases mentioned.
What about polarized glasses?
The typical colored lenses of polarized glasses are also very useful for people who are into skiing or water sports. This is because it has the ability to filter reflected light, so that glare is avoided.
However, we must be careful not to use them under any circumstances, as they also block the light coming from certain types of car screens or even gas station indicators. It is not recommended to use them for driving.
What else should we be looking for?
When choosing sunglasses, we should look not only at the filters. It is also important that they are approved, because that way we’ll know that these filters have been properly tested and live up to their promises. But how do you know if they are approved?
Basically, it should be reflected that they comply with the regulations. This is different in every country. In Spain, it is the European Community, so the first thing to look at is its CE symbol. Standard EN 1836:1997. and this must also be properly noted. We must look for it without hesitation and, if we do not see it, ask the seller. For this reason, as we have repeatedly said, it is best to buy them in optics. There we can also look for a cat’s eye or an aviator in a variety of colors that are as safe as they are trendy.
Source: Hiper Textual
