Whether your sunglasses come with black or colour tinted lenses it is important that they are safe to wear. Sunglasses are rated on two main standards: UV Protection and a Lens Category. It is essential to understand what these mean to choose the right sunglasses for you.
Firstly, UV protection is important in sunglasses as it protects the eye from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Ultraviolet (UV) rays are harmful rays from the sun consisting of UVA, UVB & UVC. Whereas UVC is absorbed by the earth’s ozone layer, both UVA & UVB are harmful to the eyes and after prolonged exposure are believed to lead to numerous health conditions.
UV Protection can be added to a lens as a coating or as a part of the main lens material that to block harmful UV Rays. The UV rating will be displayed as UV400 which means that it will block UV rays up to 400nm in size which is 100% of UV Rays. It is important for your eye safety, that no matter what brand of sunglasses you buy, they should meet UV400 standard.
The other important rating of a sunglasses lens is the amount of visible light reduction the lenses provide, reducing brightness and glare from the world around you. This rating is given a Lens Category, which is usually found on the inner temple of sunglasses. The categories go from 0-4 with CAT 0 being low and CAT 4 being for specialist use such as in deserts, while skiing or mountaineering.
CAT 0 - Very limited protection from the sun
CAT 1 - Limited protection from the sun
CAT 2 - Good protection from the sun
CAT 3 - High protection from the sun
CAT 4 - VERY high protection from the sun
Lens category information can be found on the left inner temple of the sunglasses and also on each of the sunglasses product pages.
It is important to also note the following:
NOT suitable for driving in twilight or at night.
NOT suitable for direct observation of the sun.
NOT suitable for protection against artificial sources e.g. sunbeds/solaria's.
NOT for use as eye protection against chemical or mechanical hazards.
All of our sunglasses comply with the European Directive 89/686/EEC in accordance with standard EN ISO 12312-1:2013 (sunglasses for general use)
