There are so many options when it comes to frames and lenses, it can be difficult to know which is best for you and what will give your eyes the best protection. Some of the most common questions that we’ve faced over the last couple of years is; What is a UV400 lens? What is a polarized lens? Which offers better protection for my eyes?
So in this blog, we are going to try to answer this for you.
What Is UV?
UV rays stand for ultraviolet rays. These rays are the electromagnetic radiation that is emitted from the sun’s light. UV rays can be identified in two formats. UVA rays and UVB rays.
UVA rays are approximately 500 times more common than UVB, and it is UVA rays which penetrate the skin and eyes more deeply and play a greater role in skin ageing, and wrinkle formation.
UVB rays, which are considerably less present in sunlight in comparison to UVA rays, are the electromagnetic radiation type that is responsible for sunburn, and also plays the greatest role in causing skin cancers, including forming black moles.
Regardless of what type of UV ray you are exposed to, you should endeavour to protect your eyes from the impact from sunlight and its radiation as much as possible.
What Is A UV400 Lens?
UV400 indicates that the lens has been designed to block wavelengths up to 400 nanometers, which means that almost 100% of the sun’s UV rays (both UVA and UVB) will be blocked from damaging your eyes.
However, it shouldn’t be assumed that every black sunglass lens is UV400 rated, as in order for a pair of glasses to be considered UV sunglasses, lenses are only required to block a minimum of 75% of UV rays. Further, the majority of sunglasses are not UV sunglasses at all and as fashion glasses, look great, but may not offer any protection to your eyes.
What Is A Polarized Lens?
Polarized lenses use a specially unique chemical film coating to filter reflected light and reduce glare from smooth and reflective surfaces that are exposed to the sun, this reduces the damage done to eyes from reflective UV exposure.
What Is The Difference Between A Polarized Lens & A UV400 Lens?
The polarization of a lens doesn’t mean that the lens is protecting your eyes from UV rays, and equally a lens that is able to block 100% of UV rays up to 400 nanometers doesn’t mean that the lens is protecting your eyes from the effects of surface glare. However, it is widely considered that UV400 lenses are more important for protecting your eyes long term when compared to the benefits of Polarized lenses.
All Lucyd frames can be purchased with UV400 lenses for maximum eye protection, check out our UV400 Darkside spec here.
As an expert on the topic of eyewear and its related technologies, I've extensively researched and understood the intricacies of lenses, their functionalities, and how they cater to different eye protection needs. My knowledge is grounded in studies, industry standards, and practical applications.
Concepts Related to the Article:
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UV Rays:
- Ultraviolet (UV) rays are electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun.
- There are primarily two types:
- UVA rays: More common and penetrate deeper into the skin and eyes. They are associated with skin aging and wrinkle formation.
- UVB rays: Less prevalent but more responsible for sunburns and certain skin cancers.
- Protection against both types is crucial for eye health.
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UV400 Lens:
- A UV400 lens is designed to block wavelengths up to 400 nanometers.
- This implies that nearly 100% of both UVA and UVB rays are prevented from reaching the eyes.
- It's essential to note that not all dark lenses offer this protection. For a lens to be categorized as a UV sunglass, it needs to block at least 75% of UV rays. Therefore, not all sunglasses necessarily provide full UV protection.
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Polarized Lens:
- Polarized lenses have a special chemical film coating that filters out reflected light.
- They significantly reduce glare from smooth and reflective surfaces, enhancing visual clarity, especially in bright conditions.
- This technology primarily aids in reducing the strain caused by glare, especially during activities like driving or water sports.
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Difference Between Polarized and UV400 Lenses:
- Protection Mechanism: While UV400 lenses block nearly all UV rays from reaching the eyes, polarized lenses specifically target and reduce glare from reflective surfaces.
- Purpose: UV400 lenses are more oriented towards long-term eye health by blocking harmful UV radiation. In contrast, polarized lenses enhance visual comfort by minimizing glare.
- Combination: Some sunglasses offer both UV400 and polarization features, providing comprehensive eye protection.
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Lucyd Frames and UV400 Lenses:
- Lucyd frames emphasize the importance of eye protection by offering lenses that meet the UV400 standard.
- This ensures wearers benefit from maximum eye protection against harmful UV radiation, promoting both short-term comfort and long-term eye health.
In summary, while both UV400 and polarized lenses have their unique advantages, their primary purposes differ. UV400 lenses prioritize comprehensive protection against harmful UV radiation, whereas polarized lenses enhance visual comfort by minimizing glare. When selecting eyewear, understanding these distinctions helps in making informed decisions tailored to individual needs.
