Cerium and phosphate sunglasses could provide better UV protection

December 31, 2009

Sunglasses can protect your eyes the same way that sunscreen protects your skin. In order to protect your eyes from the sun, the American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends wearing sunglasses with at least 99 percent UV protection every day.

The harmful rays can damage your retinas and reduce your chances of developing eye health conditions such as advanced related macular degeneration and cataracts.

For proper color recognition while driving, look for sunglasses with gray-tinted lenses that filter out 75 to 90 percent of visible light.

ScienceDaily.com has reported that new advances in eyewear technology might soon lead to even more effective sunglasses. Glass which contains the element cerium may have commercial applications for use in windows, sunglasses and solar cells.

In the past, researchers have added cerium to glass before it becomes yellow or opaque. However, by using phosphate glass they were able to add more of the element without sacrificing transparency. Higher levels of cerium provide more effective UV protection.