Why you need glasses with UV protection

At Maui Jim, we spend a lot of time in the sun, and we’re well aware of how powerful it can be. When it comes to understanding sunlight, there’s more to it than meets the eye. Infrared radiation with wavelengths just below the visible spectrum causes sunlight to feel warm. Above the visible spectrum, there exists powerful radiation known as ultraviolet, or UV, rays. Short in wavelength and packed with energy, they can cause damage to your skin and eyes. For this reason, it’s important to wear sunglasses or prescription glasses with UV protection.

The Harmful Effects of UV Rays

UV rays are so powerful that they can do damage to your body’s cells. They can cause sunburn when your skin is overexposed, as well as a number of eye problems. There are two types of UV rays; UV-A and UV-B. UV-A has a longer wavelength than UV-B. UV-A is particularly damaging to your macula, part of the retina in the back of your eye. UV-B is mostly absorbed by the cornea and the lens of the eye, though some of these powerful rays slip through and affect the back of the eye as well.

UV ray overexposure has been linked to macular degeneration, cataracts, pterygium (a growth on the eye), corneal sunburn, and skin cancer. All Maui Jim sunglasses have received the Skin Cancer Foundation seal of approval as an effective UV filter for the eyes and surrounding skin.

What Is UV Protection?

Products with UV protection include eyeglasses, sunscreen, and clothing that’s made to block out dangerous UV light. Maui Jim’s patented PolarizedPlus2™ lens technology blocks 100% of both UV-A and UV-B light, protecting your eyes and the surrounding skin. PolarizedPlus2 lenses also virtually eliminate glare off of reflective surfaces and manage high energy visible light. The result is a crisp, clear image with amazing contrast and true to life colors.

Protect Your Eyes While You Read

Ultraviolet radiation doesn’t care if you’re playing beach volleyball or reading a novel. This powerful radiation can damage your eyes regardless of your activity, any time you’re outside. Maui Jim offers reading glasses with UV protection in both standard non-tinted lenses, and bifocal sunglasses that are ideal for a wide range of activities. With bifocal reader sunglasses, you’ll never have to switch back and forth between readers and sunglasses. No one on the beach will even know that you are wearing reading glasses at all.

See Your World in a Whole New Light

Seeing a need in the market for technology that could block UV rays, eliminate glare, and bring the rich colors of the Hawaiian islands to life, we engineered our patented PolarizedPlus2 lenses. At Maui Jim, our mission has always been to spread the aloha spirit with cutting-edge optical technology that improves your experience every time you step outside. From vintage styles to contemporary fashion, there are a variety of sunglasses and eyeglasses with UV protection to choose from. No other brand offers the same level of visual acuity, protection, and color enhancement as Maui Jim.

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