Dark sunglasses do not protect well from UV light

Sunglasses with dark lenses do not necessarily protect better from UV radiation
When the first rays of sun show, the season for sunglasses begins. There are some things to consider when buying. So the glasses should bear the CE mark and sufficiently protect against UV radiation, the board of trustees emphasizes Good Looking (KGS). Even children already need sunglasses. Her eyes are very sensitive to the sun because her pupils are bigger and the lenses are more translucent than adults.

Sunglasses should have sufficient UV protection
Sunglasses are classified into categories zero through four to indicate the amount of light that is absorbed by the lenses. Least level glasses absorb only 20 percent of the light and are suitable for cloudy days and evenings. Category 1 indicates a light filtering of 20 to 57 percent. These sunglasses can be worn in changing weather. Category 2 absorbs 57 to 82 percent of the light, which is an appropriate glare protection for our latitude straight. Category 3 filters 82 to 92 percent of the light, so these glasses can be worn in the south, in bright water areas, on the beach or in the mountains. The last category is suitable for the high mountains and glaciers.

Sunglasses with dark lenses do not automatically protect against UV rays. (Image: Sunny studio / fotolia)

According to the Association of Ophthalmologists of Germany (BVA) says the tint of the lenses but nothing about the UV protection. Rather, it depends on the labeling of the glasses. So she should have a CE mark. The manufacturer states with this note, which is mandatory in Europe, that protects the glasses from UV radiation in light with a wavelength up to 380 nanometers. The additional label "UV400" indicates that all rays up to this wavelength do not penetrate through the glasses.

Pay attention to the color of the glasses when buying sunglasses
The color of the lenses has no effect on the UV protection, but the colors can affect the perception of the environment and even distort signal colors such as traffic lights. The most natural are brown, gray or green glasses, informs the KGS. Orange and yellow glasses cause an increase of the contrasts, whereby the glare protection is rather small. However, orange glasses can be very pleasant for outdoor sports because of the pronounced green contrast, Stiftung Warentest reports.

If you buy a new pair of sunglasses, make sure that it fits well. So nasal pad, hinges and straps should not press, advises the KGS. For example, nose pads made of soft plastic, which adapt to the shape of the nose due to their flexibility, are suitable. In addition, the sunglasses should be large enough to adequately protect against UV radiation. In the best case, the glasses reach up to the eyebrows and also protect against the sun sideways.

Children also need sunglasses
Parents often underestimate the risk of sun exposure and the need for sunglasses on their children. This was the result of a recent study by the University of Erlangen. Children's eyes need even more protection than the eyes of adults. If children do not wear sunglasses with sufficient UV protection, this can have serious consequences as their pupils are larger and the lenses more translucent.

"In the first year of life, 90 percent of the UVA rays reach the retina," cites the KGS Professor Hans-Jürgen Grein of the Study Program Ophthalmic Optics of the University of Applied Sciences Jena. "Only at the age of 18 to 20 are they almost completely stopped by the lens."

For example, unfiltered solar radiation in childhood can cause cataracts or macular degeneration in adults. However, such late damage can be prevented with children's sunglasses. When buying children's sunglasses, parents should look for good glasses, a child-friendly fit and breakage. The KGS advises infants to wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection on sunny and slightly cloudy summer days. (Ag)