Protect your Eyes Like you Protect your Skin

Most people think of their safety eyewear as purely impact protection - only wearing them when performing a hazardous task - and associate UV damage with their skin, reaching for the suncream in the summer. Are you aware that:

We know we should be putting SPF on before going out into the sunshine. But did you know that the skin around your eyes is the thinnest and most sensitive on your body? You don't typically rub sun cream onto your eyelids and around your eyes, which leaves them vulnerable to UV damage.

UV exposure isn't just a skin concern - prolonged exposure can cause serious damage to your eyes and it's a major threat to long-term eye health. Without proper protection, harmful rays can cause:

• Cataracts - A leading cause of vision loss worldwide
• Macular degeneration - Permanent damage to the retina
• Corneal sunburn - Painful short-term damage from intense UV exposure

Not all UV protection is equal. According to the EN166 / EN170 standard safety eyewear should provide UV protection up to 380 nanometres (nm). Most standard safety eyewear lenses, made from polycarbonate, does inherently block UV rays up to 380 nm - effectively shielding against UVB radiation. But what about UVA? These longer rays penetrate deeper and contribute to long-term eye damage.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and latest scientific studies 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.

uvex UV400 goes further, extending protection to 400 nm - blocking 100% of harmful UV rays, including UVA, which has been linked to cataracts and macular degeneration*. This enhanced protection applies to all uvex polycarbonate lenses, whether clear or tinted.

An extra 20 nm of protection might not sound like much, but it makes a significant difference. The higher-energy blue light between 380nm and 400nm can be harmful, and eyewear that stops at 380nm still allows some UVA rays through.

With uvex UV400 technology, your eyes receive 100% protection against both UVA and UVB rays - like upgrading from a basic SPF to a high-factor suncream with full coverage. This means better long-term protection and healthier vision for the future.

Appropriately fitting safety eyewear selected for the individual provides protection against impact hazards, thereby reducing injuries. It also enhances comfort levels, leading to increased employee compliance. Additionally, it reduces the likelihood of gaps that may allow UV rays to penetrate and cause harm. Wearing correctly fitting safety eyewear ensures that your eyes are safeguarded from both impact and harmful rays.

For employees working in hazardous surroundings, especially those who spend a lot of time outdoors, UV protection in safety eyewear is essential.

Arco has a full range of uvex safety eyewear - explore and order today!

* These conditions can also be influenced by other factors such as genetics diet, obesity, overall fitness, cigarette smoke, and prolonged blue light exposure.