See your eye health in a brand new light

One of life’s simple pleasures is stepping out of the house, feeling the warmth of the sun on your face and the breeze in your hair. A shining light in the sky that can blind us, soothe us, burn us and help us heal. It is the very reason why we see. We’ve even invented ways to reproduce its radiance when the sun is set.

And yet light, in all its forms, can rhyme with discomfort for some of us. Are you familiar with the adage “the dose makes the poison”? 

Well, this can actually be applied to light, both natural and artificial, especially when it comes to our precious eyes. And contemporary lenswear technology can help you get the dosage just right!

So, how much light is too much? How can we soak in its benefits without damaging our sight? What about corrective lenses in all this?

Let’s dive right into it.

Our lucky star: the sun

UV light can be beneficial in that it supports vitamin D production, which in turn helps our bodies absorb calcium and phosphorus and assist in bone development⁽¹⁾.

In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 5 to 15 minutes of sun exposure 2 to 3 times a week⁽²⁾. 

Of course some, more than others, enjoy being out in the sun. The most commonly known short-term consequence of overexposure is sunburn on your skin. But that’s not the only body part that can suffer from too much sun rays: your cornea, the transparent outer layer that protects your eyes can actually get sunburn too. 

It comes under the fancy name of “photokeratitis”, an inflammation that, although temporary, is far from being pleasant. In the long-term, there is an elevated risk of potentially blinding eye diseases, such as cataract, if the eyes are not properly protected.

Maximum protection, maximum style

Protection is definitely needed, throw in a little style and you get the best of both worlds with Sunstyle lenses by Nikon Lenswear.

Sunstyle lenses feature UV filtering that exceeds UV400 standard, to which your corrective needs can be added for an even more enhanced, precise vision.

Choose between tinted, gradient tint or mirror lenses so that your sunglasses can fit your style and personality perfectly, a combo which will deliver superior vision correction, top-notch eye protection AND sophistication. 

Lenswear technology enables us to provide spectacles with a filtering quality against harmful blue-violet and UV light. But it doesn’t stop there. Polashade lenses by Nikon Lenswear are the ultimate prescription sunglasses that help eliminate unwanted reflections that create glaring conditions. 

Polarised lenses enhance your sensory experience by optimising contrast and colour perception, giving golfers, sailors, mountain hikers and cyclists for instance, a distinct advantage! And for those for whom fashion and following the latest trend is key, why not add to your look while protecting your eyes from UV glare with Polashade Flash Mirror lenses.

Beyond eye protection, remember to use sunscreen with sun protector factor, SPF 15 or higher, for UV protection of your skin and consider staying in the shade, especially during midday hours when the sun is at its most glaring.

Lightbulb moment

Sunlight is the main source of both UV and blue light, and being outdoors during daylight is where we get most of our exposure. But there are other sources of blue light such as indoor lighting. 

You cannot control the strength of the sunshine but you can control the intensity of light indoors. Think about it – the type of light you use and are exposed to most often affects not only the ambience, but also your eye health.

When choosing your indoor lighting, avoid bright white and cool fluorescent tube bulbs and incandescent bulbs. Instead, go for incandescent warm light bulbs, LED bulbs or halogen bulbs.

Bulbs are one thing, technology is another

Nowadays, we have access to a myriad of electronic devices today – computers, tablets, smartphones and TVs – all these digital screens emit high-energy blue light and are harmful to our eyes in the long run.

On the other hand, blue UV rays can clearly be beneficial – think Light Therapy lamps for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – as they help regulate the body’s circadian cycle, boost alertness and alleviate the mood⁽³⁾.

But too much of anything is bad, the same goes for blue light exposure as it can have serious consequences on your eye health if not properly controlled. Yes, we know, you can usually tell when one of your friends has blue-light protection: that yellowish tint, right?

Fret not! You can now protect yourself from harmful blue light and not compromise on aesthetics.

Pure Blue UV is the latest solution by Nikon Lenswear that allows form and function to coexist together through light purification technology that cuts up to 35% of invisible blue light while offering enhanced aesthetics. Join your next online meeting and presentation or take those selfies with confidence: no yellowish hue or unpleasant blue light reflections will be in sight!

Be enlightened by Nikon Lenswear

Natural light plays a central role in our physical and mental health and physiological behaviour, stimulating hormone production and regulating our sleep and energy cycles. There are many easy steps you can take to support your eye health.  It could be as simple as changing your light bulbs at home, making a conscious effort to reduce screen time and make it a habit of regularly visiting your eye care professional.

Make the best choice for your eyes and enjoy the natural light safely. Protecting your eyes against the harmful effects of UV and blue light is our business. Discover our range of products and make an appointment with your eyecare professional today.