UV 400 Protection: The Ins & Outs Of Why It Is Important
UV 400 protection isn’t just a term that is labeled on sunglasses to make them sound more protective than your run-of-the-mill shades. UV 400 protection is an important key indicator to look out for, to see whether or not your favorite pair of sunglasses are doing what they are supposed to: keep your eyes protected from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation coming from the sun. But not all sunglasses protect from these harmful rays equally. The level of UV protection your sunglasses offer should probably be just as important as how good your sunglasses look on your head if you want to use them for their intended purpose. But what exactly does UV 400 protection do, why should you care if your sunglasses have it or not, and what is the difference between sunglasses with and without this benefit?
What is UV 400 Protection?
UV 400 protection is an indication that the sunglasses you are wearing or considering for purchase have the ability to block out between 99-100% of all UVA and UVB rays coming from the sun, giving your eyes comprehensive shielding for your precious eyes. In particular, these UVA and UVB rays are at the top end of the ultraviolet spectrum, and go all the way up to the wavelength of 400 nanometers.
UV 400 vs Polarization
Be cautious, there is a distinct difference between sunglasses that have polarized lenses, versus sunglasses that offer UV 400 protection. Not all sunglasses that are polarized actually provide UV 400 protection, and not all sunglasses that provide UV 400 protection have polarized lenses. Polarization reduces glare, can enhance color vibrancy, and is more of a two-way mirror than a filter. UV 400 protection, on the other hand, absorbs the harmful UV rays that can cause long-term damage. Polarization therefore is more of a nice thing to have in your sunglasses, whereas UV 400 should be a non-negotiable when trying to purchase the perfect pair of sunglasses for you!
You too can invest in a great pair of sunglasses that not only look great but also have UV 400 protection to give you peace of mind that your sunglasses will last as long as you need them to. At Cheeks Shades, we provide you with many options for excellent sunglasses that are durable, and stylish, and have the benefit of providing both polarized lenses, which also give you UV 400 protection providing your eyes with the highest level of protection.
Why would you want UV 400 protection?
Prevent Skin Cancer
UV 400 protection brings a whole slew of additional benefits to your seemingly general run-of-the-mill pair of sunglasses. Exposure to ultraviolet rays without proper eye protection can lead to some milder short-term issues, such as photokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis (fancy words for sunburn of different parts of the eye), all the way to more sight-threatening issues such as cataracts or macular degeneration. Additionally, according to skincancer.org, most eyelid skin cancers occur on the lower eyelid, as it usually receives the most direct sun exposure and one of the best ways to protect your sensitive skin on and around your eyelids is to wear sunglasses year-round (yes, even when it’s cloudy), and to choose shades that block 99-100% of UVA and UVB light, which can be found in shades that are certified with UV 400 protection.
Prevent Eye Diseases
According to the National Institute of Health’s National Eye Institute, UV light can cause several different problems for your eyes, directly linked to eye exposure. Some of these can include cataracts, cancers of the eyelid, pterygium or “Surfer’s Eye”, and even age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which causes blurred central vision due to part of the retina breaking down. All of these are very preventable ailments through the use of high-quality, and durable sunglasses that are certified with UV 400 protection. And just because you are looking for sunglasses with preventative features, doesn’t mean you won’t be able to find a pair that is stylish and chic. For example, all of the styles and colors available on the Cheeks Shades website, such as the Clemente Round frames have polarized lenses and are certified with UV 400 protection, blocking out 100% of all harmful light from the sun. Any one of the colors and styles available can give you peace of mind that UV rays won’t be able to damage your eyes.
Conclusion: How And Why Should You Choose A Pair Of Sunglasses With UV 400 protection?
Every pair of sunglasses is slightly different, from the shape and color of the frames to the material and benefits of the lenses themselves. All of these can and should play a part in the decision-making process for your next new pair of sunglasses. But one of the most important reasons you should be wearing sunglasses in the first place is in the name itself. They should be glasses that protect your eyes from the sun. So be sure to look out for that UV 400 protection label, so that you can look good, while still protecting your eyes with a pair of stylish and sleek sunglasses.
https://www.glasses.com/gl-us/blog/uv-protection-in-glasses
https://www.nei.nih.gov/about/news-and-events/news/protecting-your-eyes-suns-uv-light
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/amd-macular-degeneration
https://draparpados.com/blogs/glancezine/what-is-uv400-protection-all-you-need-to-know
https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/eye-protection/
https://cheeksshades.com/collections/shop-all/products/unisex-sunglasses-clemente-square
