Bring your glasses in for a FREE UV check!
We have an instrument that can tell us immediately if your lenses or sunglasses are protecting you from dangerous UV rays. No appointment is necessary, and you don't need to be one of our patients.
We have an instrument that can tell us immediately if your lenses or sunglasses are protecting you from dangerous UV rays. No appointment is necessary, and you don't need to be one of our patients.
Why we should protect our eyes
Long term exposure to Ultra-Violet radiation is recognized as a leading cause of many eye conditions, in particular cataract and macular degeneration. UV is present every time we go outdoors, even on cloudy days. On bright sunny days it is reflected off surrounding surfaces such as sand and water, but even off grass, concrete and other surfaces in our environment, adding to exposure levels. Reducing the amount of UV rays reaching your eyes on a daily basis will help reduce or delay the effects of such conditions. This is especially important in young eyes, as research has shown that 80% of lifetime exposure to UV occurs by the age of 18.
How to protect your eyes
Wearing sunglasses outdoors is always recommended. These can be made to your prescription if you normally wear glasses for distance - please ask us for more information.
Certain types of spectacle lenses naturally offer the protection you need. Transitions® lenses, high index, polycarbonate etc are good examples of this. Latest figures from Transitions show a 98% wearer satisfaction level.
If you wear standard lenses a UV inhibitor can be added to protect you when outdoors. One excellent lens material that protects you is Trivex, which has many other benefits including great impact protection and optical clarity - probably the safest lens overall - especially for children.
Some contact lenses contain an inhibitor which stops UV light reaching your eye. Please ask for more information.
Wearing a wide brimmed hat or peaked cap is also one way to reduce the amount of light entering your eye, but this does not offer a complete solution due to rays reflected off surrounding surfaces.
How does the UV blocker work?
Some spectacle lenses can have a clear dye added to the lens which blocks 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Other lens materials, such as Transitions, high index, Trivex, and polycarbonate for example, naturally prevent the UV rays from being transmitted through the lens due to the properties of the lens material.
More information about UV rays and their effects can be found at:
The World Health Organisation
RNIB
Transitions lenses
Long term exposure to Ultra-Violet radiation is recognized as a leading cause of many eye conditions, in particular cataract and macular degeneration. UV is present every time we go outdoors, even on cloudy days. On bright sunny days it is reflected off surrounding surfaces such as sand and water, but even off grass, concrete and other surfaces in our environment, adding to exposure levels. Reducing the amount of UV rays reaching your eyes on a daily basis will help reduce or delay the effects of such conditions. This is especially important in young eyes, as research has shown that 80% of lifetime exposure to UV occurs by the age of 18.
How to protect your eyes
Wearing sunglasses outdoors is always recommended. These can be made to your prescription if you normally wear glasses for distance - please ask us for more information.
Certain types of spectacle lenses naturally offer the protection you need. Transitions® lenses, high index, polycarbonate etc are good examples of this. Latest figures from Transitions show a 98% wearer satisfaction level.
If you wear standard lenses a UV inhibitor can be added to protect you when outdoors. One excellent lens material that protects you is Trivex, which has many other benefits including great impact protection and optical clarity - probably the safest lens overall - especially for children.
Some contact lenses contain an inhibitor which stops UV light reaching your eye. Please ask for more information.
Wearing a wide brimmed hat or peaked cap is also one way to reduce the amount of light entering your eye, but this does not offer a complete solution due to rays reflected off surrounding surfaces.
How does the UV blocker work?
Some spectacle lenses can have a clear dye added to the lens which blocks 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Other lens materials, such as Transitions, high index, Trivex, and polycarbonate for example, naturally prevent the UV rays from being transmitted through the lens due to the properties of the lens material.
More information about UV rays and their effects can be found at:
The World Health Organisation
RNIB
Transitions lenses