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UV radiation and Sports

UV Radiation & Sports

What is Ultraviolet Radiation? It is an invisible form of electromagnetic radiation that lies beyond the violet/blue end of the visible spectrum. It is a form of energy and most of which is invisible to the human eye. 

UV comes mainly from Sunlight, and also other sources such as mercury vapour lighting (often in stadiums), certain halogens, fluorescent and incandescent lighting. 

We all know that sunburn is an effect of temporary exposure to UV, do you know that prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause sunburn to our eyes too?

Symptoms of eye sunburn (also known as Photokeratitis)

  1. Red eyes
  2. Extreme light sensitivity
  3. Gritty feeling in eyes
  4. Temporary vision loss, or distorted vision
  5. Seeing halos
  6. Blurry or dim vision
  7. Night vision issues

What to do when you experience eye sunburn?

  1. Remove your contact lens to give your eyes an opportunity to heal
  2. Do not rub your eyes. Rubbing your eyes might cause additional damage to your cornea, and increase the irritation
  3. Rest your eyes in a dark room/ environment, with your eyes closed, and/or use a cool compress to provide relief to your eyes
  4. Use UV sunglass to shield your eyes from the Sun
  5. Avoid any make-up, including eyelash extensions or fake eyelashes

(if you experienced the symptoms for a prolonged period, we recommend that you visit your nearest GP). 

Other than eye sunburn, UV also ages your eyes. Prolonged UV exposure can lead to possible chronic eye diseases such as cornea damage, cataracts, and macular degeneration. For more information about the danger of UV radiation to the eyes, read this article. 

So, how can we protect our eyes from the harmful effects of UV? We can do that with simply a pair of sunglass, tinted lenses, and/or a brimmed hat. A wide-brimmed hat can block approximately half the amount of UV radiation, and a pair of sunglass or tinted lenses provide the greatest measure of UV protection. 

When choosing your sunglasses, remember to choose that there are labeled UV400, which can block around 99 - 100% of UVA and UVB. You can also consider having a wraparound design, as this can limit the entry of UV rays from the periphery. 

Can't find a pair of ideal prescriptive sunglass? Do you know that all optical outlets are able to provide tinted/color/photochromic ophthalmic lenses with prescription? These lenses can be fixed onto your preferred sunglass frame or normal spectacle frame. 

The majority of the brands provide colour-tint coating that you can choose to add to your prescription lenses. 

Hoya Spectrum

  • 100% protection against UVA and UVB rays
  • Available in 39 colors and 25 gradient tints in a wide range of densities
  • For all prescription lenses
  • functional tints for specific activities

Hoya Mirror

  • Reduced glare and eye-strain
  • Personalized look
  • Fashionable look
  • Protection against UVA and UVB rays

Hoya Sensity

  • Stabilight technology that ensures a solid performance in different climates, seasons, and circumstances
  • An attractive sun lens tint when outdoor
  • Exceptional indoor clarity
  • Glare reduction
  • 100% protection against UV ray