UV PROTECTION
Some eyewear brands block 100% of UV rays, but only to 380nm, which means they’re letting the harmful, high-energy blue light through. All of our lenses however, of every tint and shade, block 100% of UVA, UVB, and UVC rays and harmful blue light to 400nm. These harmful rays are a leading cause of cataracts, skin cancer and wrinkles around the eyes—all great reasons to block them out.

WHAT IS UV?
UV, standing for Ultra Violet, is high-energy light that’s beyond the spectrum that’s visible for humans [and Karl Meltzer]. Other invisible light includes x-rays and gamma rays on the higher-energy end of the spectrum. Infrared rays, microwave rays and radio waves are found on the lower-energy end of the spectrum.
UV radiation is harmful to the eyes and skin. Immediate damage is noticeable in the form of sunburn, but cumulative damage over years or decades may be much more sinister as it can come in the form of cataracts and skin cancer. So think of our lenses are like lead vests for your eyes. You wouldn’t opt out of the lead vest during an x-ray, would you?

WHAT IS VISIBLE LIGHT TRANSMISSION [VLT]?
When we talk about VLT as it relates to a lens colour, we are talking about the amount of visible light — not UV light — that is able to pass through the lens and reach your eye. The percentage of visible light that makes it through the lens is a very different thing than UV protection. VLT is simply a number to quantify how light or dark a lens is. Some colours however, increase contrast and therefore give the illusion of being brighter than they really are. For example, a grey lens with 50% VLT when compared to an orange lens with 50% VLT will seem darker even though they are blocking out the exact same percentage of visible light.

 

HOW DOES A VISIBLE LIGHT TRANSMISSION [VLT] VALUE AFFECT UV PROTECTION?
In our lenses, we’re proud to say it doesn’t. All of our lenses, goggles and sunglasses of all tints and shades block 100% of UVA, UVB, and UVC rays and harmful blue light to 400nm.

 

DOES LENS COLOUR AFFECT UV PROTECTION?
No, every one of our lenses meets or exceeds the same standards of UV protection, whether the lens is clear, coloured or dark grey, you have the same protection against UV rays and harmful blue light.

 

DO POLARIZED LENSES AFFECT UV PROTECTION?
Since all of our lenses block 100% of UVA, UVB, and UVC rays and harmful blue light to 400nm, a polarizing filter doesn’t provide any additional protection from UV because these rays have already been blocked by the time they reach the polarizing filter. Our Polarized lenses provide glare reduction benefits that reduce squinting, enhance comfort and improve visual acuity.

 

WHEN MY PHOTOCHROMIC LENSES ADJUST FROM DARK TO LIGHT, DOES THE UV PROTECTION CHANGE?
Absolutely not. The only thing that changes is the VLT, which does not affect UV protection. No matter what the tint or shade of the lens, no matter what the conditions, these lenses block 100% of UVA, UVB, and UVC rays and harmful blue light to 400nm. That’s the beauty of our Photochromic lenses—full-time protection from UV, dirt, debris and wind, all in a shatterproof lens that’s constantly adapting to suit the intensity of sunlight. There’s no need to ever take them off.