uvex UV400 - protecting your eyes from UV radiation
The same ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun that burn your skin can also damage your eyes. If you spend time outdoors, you are at risk from UV rays, particularly as our eyes are 10 times more sensitive to UV than our skin.
The EN166/170 standard specifies safety eyewear should provide UV protection up to 380 nm, and most industrial safety eyewear only complies with the industry standard. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and latest scientific studies state, however, that this level of protection is insufficient and recommend safety eyewear lenses provide UV protection up to 400 nm covering 100% of UVB and UVA rays.
"The reasons why the WHO recommends UV400 protection are clear. The outer tissues of the eye, cornea and lens fully absorb UV light. While UVB light primarily damages the genetic material, UVA rays penetrate deeper, cause thermal damage and magnify the effects of UVB light."
Univ.-Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Olaf Strauß
Protecting your eyes with uvex
The uvex brand has always been synonymous with optimum protection against UV radiation. For many years now, we have been providing advanced eyewear technology as standard, and all uvex safety glasses with polycarbonate lenses offer 100% UVA, UVB and UVC protection.
The name UVEX stands for UltraViolet EXcluded
uvex UV400
filters all UVA rays (at 380 nm, 20% of damaging UVA still passes through the lenses).
uvex UV400
minimises the thermal impact on cells (10 times greater in the 380-400 nm range) which can damage and alter cell structure.
uvex UV400
reduces aggressive blue light content (HEV: high-energy visible light), which is harmful to the retina, by 15%.
uvex UV400
protects the eyes and surrounding skin from dangerous long-term damage.
Even when there is no sunshine, UV rays are ever-present
When working outdoors, your eyes are regularly exposed to harmful UV radiation — even when it is cloudy. The result: using insufficient protection may cause dangerous long-term damage such as corneal injury, cataracts and loss of sight.
Even on cloudy days
Up to 80% of the sun's harmful UV rays can penetrate the clouds, so your eyes are just as vulnerable to damage on a cloudy day than on a bright sunny day.
Indoors
Workplaces where artificial UV lamps are used, such as when performing tests under UV lamps.
Highly reflective surfaces
Water, snow and the surfaces of machine housings reflect a significant amount of UV radiation.
UV radiation: Invisible risk to sight
Most people are aware of the effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin; 95% associate UV radiation with skin problems and 85% are aware of the risk of tumours1. However, when it comes to radiation exposure to the eyes, the figures are very different; with only 7% associating UV radiation with eye disease1 despite the fact that the eye is the organ most susceptible to sun damage.
1 Transitions UK. Transitions European Study. 2008.
Polycarbonate, which is what most safety eyewear is made from, inherently blocks UV rays up to 380 nanometres (nm). Eyewear that protects up to 380 nm covers most of the UVB spectrum which is beneficial, however, it still allows some of the UVA rays through. These rays are particularly damaging over the longer term.
UV400 refers to lenses that block out nearly 100% of harmful ultraviolet (UV) light rays, including both UVA and UVB rays, up to a wavelength of 400 nm. This provides the highest level of protection for your eyes.
UVA radiation: is a type of UV light that makes up the majority - around 95% - of the sun's rays reaching Earth. Unlike its UVB counterpart, UVA rays can penetrate deep into the skin and even pass through glass. It is often the main cause of sunburn on human skin and premature aging due to it breaking down collagen and elastin needed for the skins suppleness. UVA does not damage DNA directly like UVB, but can generate highly reactive chemical intermediates.
UVB radiation is a high-energy component of sunlight, making up only about 5% of the sun's UV rays. While less prevalent than UVA, it packs a powerful punch. Unlike UVA, UVB radiation primarily affects the skin's outer layers. It's the main culprit behind painful sunburns and is directly linked to skin cancer development. Beyond skin damage, UVB rays also pose a threat to eye health. Overexposure can contribute to the development of cataracts, a clouding of the eye's lens that can significantly impair vision.
uvex UV400 — included in all uvex safety eyewear with polycarbonate lenses
Regardless of whether you choose a clear or tinted lens, all uvex safety eyewear - made from polycarbonate - has UV absorption incorporated into the lens which filters 100% of UV rays up to 400nm. uvex prides itself on delivering the best possible protection together with top-quality lens coatings, incredible comfort and stylish designs.
