These factors increase the risk of two eye diseases in particular due to long-term light damage with a lead time of around 20 years: cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Cataracts 

Cataracts are one of the most common eye diseases in old age and lead to clouding of the lens, which impairs vision enormously. Sufferers have low-contrast, blurred and less colourful vision, while the sensation of glare increases significantly. 

The high-energy invisible UV radiation is absorbed by the lens of the eye in the border area to violet (up to 400 nm) and contributes - among other factors - to the clouding of the lens. Therefore, protect your eyes with high-quality sunglasses tested by a specialist! 

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) 

If letters suddenly become blurred when reading or straight lines appear crooked in old age, this is a sign of AMD, a serious eye disease and the most common cause of blindness in western industrialised nations. 

In the area of sharp vision, the macula, vision gradually deteriorates as light-sensitive retinal cells are lost. In addition to poor diet, oxidative stress, previous surgery, a genetic predisposition and increasing age, increased exposure to sunlight is considered a possible trigger for AMD. 

There is an increased risk of AMD in: 

Effective eye protection is therefore strongly recommended. 

You can order a detailed brochure on ‘Preventing and alleviating visual impairment in old age’ (only available in German) on the Accessories page or download it here free of charge: 

Your eyes - effectively protected 

According to the latest findings, effective sun protection for the eyes must fulfil three conditions: 

1. 100% UV-400 technology 

This is the only way to fully protect the lens of the eye and prevent the light-induced acceleration of cataract formation. The frequently offered ‘UV protection according to EU standard’ is not sufficient, as it only provides filtering up to 385nm. 

2. approx. 95% blue attenuation up to 500nm 

The photoreceptors sensitive to blue are 100 times more easily destroyed by light than those sensitive to red. This is why high attenuation of the blue component in sunlight is particularly important for effective sunglasses. This is especially true after cataract surgery, as the artificial lens lets through more blue light than the healthy lens of a 60-year-old. For this reason, light yellow glasses (with extensive filtering of the blue component) are also recommended for daily use (i.e. when you are not in full sunlight). The blue attenuation also increases visual acuity and colour contrast. 

3. frames with low stray light 

Small lenses and thin temples allow up to 60% of unfiltered stray light to enter the eye, rendering the best light protection lenses ineffective. With dark lenses, such glasses are even harmful due to wide open pupils.

AugenLichtSchutz only stocks glasses that fulfil all these strict standards and the high light protection requirements developed in Switzerland. We offer guaranteed quality from the experts - and at extremely favourable prices! This is possible because we are a small company that does not carry an expensive brand name. See for yourself and buy top quality at a low price!