The primary function of sunglasses is to protect the eyes from the sun’s UV rays. Depending on the lens material, filters applied, and lens coating, sunglasses filter out UV rays before they reach the eyes. A good pair of sunglasses filters 99% to 100% of this UV radiation.
Types of UV radiation
The human eye can perceive light with a wavelength of 380nm to 780nm. But there is also the harmful light that we cannot distinguish with the naked eye, which is outside these values. This mainly concerns UVC, UVB and UVA radiation.
UVC: This is radiation with a wavelength of up to 280 nm that does not come from the earth’s atmosphere.
UVB: Short wavelength radiation of 280-315nm that burns you and can cause eye damage.
UVC: This type of radiation makes you tan, but it also causes your skin to age faster and reduces your vision.
All sunglasses in our collection provide 100% protection against harmful UVC, UVB and UVA rays. It can also be seen on the label of the sunglasses. This indicates the amount of radiation filtered by the letters UV followed by a number. UV400, for example, means that all radiation up to 400 nm is filtered out, which complies with European legislation. This means that all radiation up to a wavelength of 380 nm must be filtered out.
Color intensity
All sunglasses have a CE mark, which clearly indicates whether they meet European standards for filter quality. The number from 0 to 4 after “CE” indicates the color intensity category of the lenses. This means that the lenses provide good protection against glare. Category 0 glasses absorb 0 to 20% of light, category 4 glasses absorb 92 to 97%.
Category 0: These goggles offer virtually no protection and can only be worn on cloudy days.
Category 1: these glasses are suitable for wearing in temperate direct sunlight.
Category 2: When the sun shines moderately, these glasses are suitable for wearing. This category is recommended as a minimum for daily activities under the central European sun.
Category 3: These glasses provide good protection in sunny weather, even at sea or in the mountains. This category is recommended for a day at the beach.
Category 4: glasses in this category are recommended in exceptionally strong sunlight, for example in high mountains (winter sports).
Category 0: These goggles offer virtually no protection and can only be worn on cloudy days.
Category 1: these glasses are suitable for wearing in temperate direct sunlight.
Category 2: When the sun shines moderately, these glasses are suitable for wearing. This category is recommended as a minimum for daily activities under the central European sun.
Category 3: These glasses protect well in sunny weather, even at sea or in the mountains. This category is recommended for a day at the beach.
Category 4: glasses in this category are recommended in exceptionally strong sunlight, for example in high mountains (winter sports).
All of our sunglasses have at least a CE3 license plate.
glasses color
It is a myth that the lens color of sunglasses has something to do with the degree of UV protection. Sunlight consists of a visible part (light) and an invisible part (UV radiation). The darker the lenses, the more visible light is filtered and the less risk of glare. The degree of protection of the eyes against UV rays is visible thanks to the sunscreen (UV400 for example), as described earlier on this page.
However, the color of the lenses of a pair of glasses says something and each color has different properties.
Gray glasses: this color is the most neutral and is particularly recommended for the visually impaired. These lenses reduce the brightness of visible sunlight without changing color.
Brown Lenses: Brown colored lenses alter the actual colors which can sometimes be perceived as bothersome by the wearer. However, it increases contrast, making these colored lenses suitable for the visually impaired.
Yellow Lenses: The yellow lens color allows for better vision by reducing blue sunlight blur and is ideal for driving a car.
Green Lenses: This color provides increased contrast, making it easier to distinguish objects. However, these colored lenses are not recommended for people with color blindness.
Pink lenses: the pink color increases the contrast on a blue or green background. Glasses with pink lenses are therefore ideal for people who practice water sports.
Polarized glasses
When light is reflected off smooth surfaces (water, glass or smooth road surface), vertical and horizontal light waves are produced. “Normal” lenses let this radiation through, but polarized lenses filter out horizontal light waves. This results in a clearer, higher contrast image because light reflection is eliminated. Of course, polarized lenses also protect against UV rays.
Polarized glasses are especially nice for people who spend a lot of time on the road, on or around water, people with farsightedness or nearsightedness, the elderly, and people who have had eye surgery.
Lens size
Ideally, the lenses of sunglasses should be large enough to protect the eyes from direct sunlight from all sides. This should certainly be the case in an environment where there is a lot of reflection (snow or water). The ideal sunglasses therefore go from the middle of the nose to above the eyebrows.