The sun is truly a source of life for every living organism on the planet. However, its beneficial properties have been outweighed in recent years by the harmful effects it causes, which research unfortunately confirms. The effect of sunlight works cumulatively on the body and the negative effects appear after years.
In addition to the U.V. spectrum, which we now know a lot about, another component of solar radiation has come under the microscope of researchers and the optics industry.
The high energy spectrum of visible light, or the blue spectrum. It has been shown that the limiting portion of visible light, which is between 380nm and 500nm, is a contributor to retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration. At the same time, the delicate and highly sensitive tissues of the eyelids appear to be at equal risk and protection is now vital. The most effective way of protecting them has been provided by nature itself. Melanin is our body's pigment that gives our eyes and skin their brown colour. The nature of melanin effectively protects against both ultraviolet radiation and the blue light spectrum.
Lenses made of synthetic melanin have recently been introduced. The great advantage of these lenses is that they do not cause any colour alteration like other blue block lenses do. The new melanin lenses can be used while driving as they comply with CEN guidelines while absorbing 100% of ultraviolet radiation and 98% of the blue spectrum, making them an ideal means of protection in the sun. These polycarbonate lenses are indicated for those with light-coloured eyes and sensitive skin, those with photosensitivity and of course those with a family history of retinal degenerative diseases. With the given increase in average life expectancy, the chances of developing pathology associated with the cumulative effects of exposure to solar radiation are also increasing.
