| Many people choose aviator sunglasses as a fashion | | | | surface. |
| statement, but for pilots the choice of sunglasses is a | | | | In addition, recent scientific studies have warned that |
| much more critical decision, one which should not be | | | | depletion of the ozone layer around the earth has |
| taken lightly without knowledge about the importance | | | | reduced the amount of harmful radiation from the sun |
| of eye protection. | | | | blocked by the ozone layer before reaching the lower |
| There is a lot of evidence that light, both that which we | | | | atmosphere. |
| can see (visible light), and light we cannot see | | | | There are two types of light which we need to |
| (ultraviolet light), potentially can damage a pilot's eyes | | | | protect our eyes from: |
| and can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration, or, in | | | | 1. UV-A, also known as "tanning rays" in the 315 to 400 |
| some cases, skin cancer around the eyelids. | | | | nanometer wavelengths; |
| We all know that viewing very intense light sources | | | | 2. UV-B, also known as "burning rays" in the 280 to 315 |
| likes the flash from a welder's torch, or viewing a solar | | | | nanometer wavelengths, and; |
| eclipse, can cause serious damage to our eyes, or | | | | 3. UV-C, known as the "dangerous rays" in the 100 to |
| even blindness. Clearly we are all aware that serious | | | | 280 nanometer wavelengths. |
| eye injuries can occur from viewing welding arcs | | | | All light is a form of energy, and ultraviolet light rays are |
| without any eye protection. Properly protecting our | | | | very strong and can cause damage to eyes if the |
| eyes from these events can prevent injury to our | | | | eyes have prolonged and/or direct exposure to these |
| eyes. | | | | powerful rays. |
| For pilots proper eye protection is even more | | | | UV-B, or "blue light", is in the visible range and have |
| important as they are a pilot's most important sensory | | | | been linked to skin cancer, as well as cancer of the |
| asset. Because of their exposure to large amounts of | | | | skin around the eye socket. In addition, UV-B exposure |
| ultraviolet radiation proper aviator sunglasses are | | | | is strongly linked to cortical cataract formation in the |
| essential because of their shape which protects the | | | | eyes. |
| largest are around the eye socket, preventing harmful | | | | When prolonged or continual exposure to ultraviolet |
| rays from reaching the eye itself. | | | | radiation cannot be avoided the most effective form |
| Pilots are also exposed to more of the harmful rays | | | | of protection for pilots are aviator sunglasses. |
| from the sun because they fly at higher altitudes | | | | Because of their shape they provide the greatest |
| reducing the amount of diffusion light experiences as it | | | | amount of protection for the pilots eyes. |
| travels through the earth's atmosphere to the earth's | | | | |