If you like getting out on the trails, the should be one of your most important items of kit – and this is the case year-round, not just in the summer. Experts advise that anyone who spends time outdoors, whether running, hiking or cycling, needs to take care to protect their eyes from damaging ultra violet (UV) light emitted by the sun. Sharon Copeland, an optician at , explains that there are three types of UV rays that the sun emits: UVA, UVB and UVC.
She says: “UVC rays are the most damaging but they are absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere before they reach us and are not a direct threat. “Meanwhile, UVA and UVB rays can have serious long and short-term effects on the eyes and our vision.” There are different health risks caused by exposure to UV light including: The best way to protect your eyes is to stay away from bright sunlight but this is not always possible, especially if you are a runner.
Also, , such as being a natural source of Vitamin D and boosting feel-good hormones. This means, you should wear good quality sunglasses. This most important factor when choosing sunglasses is to ensure they will protect your eyes from UV radiation.
Ideally, this means buying sunglasses with a UV 400 protection. UV 400 ensures the dark lenses filter out almost 100% of harmful ultraviolet light rays. The more technical explanation is the UV 400 blocks wavelengths up to 400 , including UVA and UVB rays.
When looking at different , check they are labelled with a CE or UV 40.