Each lens tint relates to a specific issue the wearer may encounter.” (How Important Is Lens Tint?) “The importance of lens tint has to do with visual acuity – your ability to see objects through the lens clearly and with precision. In addition, it controls VLT, which can cause discomfort and pain with overexposure. Lens tint is essential because it helps optimize performance, provides better visibility, and increases eye comfort. Each lens tint allows a different percentage of VLT through to the eyes. Visible light may not harm the eyes but can still impact vision. “The reason visible light transmission is important is that the amount of light determines how comfortable your eyes are when looking through sunglass lenses…” (The Importance of Visible Light Transmission)Ī coating must be applied to eyewear lenses to control the amount of light passing through. This number, known as VLT, is affected by any tinting, lens thickness, lens material, and any coatings applied. The light that successfully passes through the barrier is measured and represented as a percentage of total sunlight.
When sunlight passes through any barrier, like a window or lens, some is absorbed, and some is reflected. Tools used in welding and lampwork applications emit IR, and working with or near these requires precise lens shading. IR, just beyond the red end of the spectrum, is also invisible and harmful to us. Unfortunately this is a false assumption… it is not how dark or light the lenses are that determines their effectiveness in blocking these harmful uv rays, but rather the coatings applied to the lenses!” Infrared (IR) “Lens tint is sometimes confused with how dark the lenses are, and some people feel that the darker the lenses the more effective they are.
Beyond blue uv blocker skin#
Overexposure to UV light damages skin and eyes, which is why we wear sunscreen and sunglasses that block UV light.Īll quality safety eyewear and sunglasses block 99.9% of UV light regardless of lens tint. In addition to causing color distortion and potential eye strain and damage, blue light may also increase cancer risk and have connections to diabetes and obesity.” ( Benefits of Copper, Orange, Yellow and Brown Lens Tints) Ultraviolet (UV)īeyond blue light in the visible light spectrum is UV light. “More research is needed, but exposure to blue light clearly has a significant impact on general health. In addition, electronics like cell phones, TVs, and computer monitors emit blue light and can contribute to sleep deprivation. Prolonged exposure results in quicker eye fatigue than different types of visible light.īlue light also suppresses Melatonin, a hormone our brain releases to help us sleep. Because blue light scatters easily compared to other visible light, we have more trouble focusing on it. While we won’t go into detail on each type of visible light, blue light does deserve some attention because of its potential negative impact. That range starts with blue on one end and ends with red on the other, with yellow and green combining in the middle to make up the range most natural for us to see and process. If visible light is broken out through a prism, we can see a rainbow pattern showing the spectrum of light colors visible to us. Visible light, also called white light, makes up a relatively small range of light waves humans can see. General knowledge of visible light transmission (VLT) is also helpful. Specifically, having a basic knowledge of visible light (white light) and the two light ranges on either side of it on the electromagnetic spectrum, infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV).
Beyond blue uv blocker how to#
Understanding light exposure can help you understand the value of lens tints and how to choose the best color. Choosing the best lens tint depends on the environment and lighting conditions combined with the unique needs and preferences of the wearer. With a range of colors and gradients, every option holds specific purposes and benefits. From frame style and color to lens coating and safety standards, there’s exactly what’s needed for any situation. Today’s safety eyewear comes with seemingly endless combinations of features.