If you are one of the few who is able to hold onto your sunglasses for longer than a day then well done, not only are you an anomaly, but I have some bad news for you.
Over exposure of sunglass lenses to the sun may be deteriorating their UV protection ability. According to a Brazilian study, although current industry tests aren’t sufficient to determine just how long it’s safe to wear them, the recommendation is that give them up after two years of hard wear.
The peeps behind the study were curious when they learnt that most Brazilians wear the same pair of sunnies every day for about two years. How people achieve that is beyond me, but I guess when you buy a pair of legit sunglasses you’re going to make sure they stick around.
I mean, with these tasty cutouts on offer I would definitely do everything in my power to keep them.
Although there is no exact recommendation for when people should retire their old pairs, protecting them from the sun is really important as UV exposure can lead to cataracts, retina damage, and other long-term eye problems and vision loss.
In fact, the UV aspect of your sunnies is so important, it can even save your life:
- Sunglasses can help prevent skin cancer
5% to 10% of all skin cancer occurs around the eyes. It is responsible to select a high quality polarised pair of shades. - They keep your eyes younger for longer. Sun exposure can contribute to wrinkles and fine lines forming around eyes. The sun is a source of blue light (also known as HEV light) which helps the human body regulate sleep-wake cycles, elevates moods, and boosts alertness. Prolonged exposure to this light is known to be associated with age-related macular degeneration.
- They help you see (and drive) better in the dark. Normally eyes take 30 minutes to fully adapt to the dark. Being in bright sunlight without good protection for around two hours delays this process, lengthening the time it takes for your eyes to adjust to the dark. This can contribute to poor vision when driving at night. Wearing polarised lenses with UVA and UVB protection during the day will help keep that period short thus improving vision when driving at night.
- They can reduce the risk of accidents. Glares and bright lights interfere with our ability to see and react to possible hazards on the road – especially when rain is involved as water reflects up to 100% of UV light. Choosing sunglasses that block out 99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation will greatly help you.
Until real information is known, the only thing you can do is buy the best – and the best is from Sunglass Hut, who stock dozens of designer frames to fit any face.
Then, if your pair start showing signs of defect after two years, Sunglass Hut will replace them or give you a refund.
At least someone cares.
[source: yahoo&destinyconnect]
