UV protection

The truth is that all spectacles made up with plastic lenses offer some degree of protection against harmful ultra-violet (UV) rays but how effective they are will depend on the treatments and coatings applied to lenses when they are made.

Always remember that the level of UV protection has little to do with the colour or darkness of the sunglasses.

There are three types of UV radiation - UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC rays are absorbed by the upper atmosphere and do not reach the earth's surface, but good sunglasses should block all the UVA and UVB.

When buying sunglasses check that they block 100 per cent of UVA and UVB. Also make sure that the glasses carry the CE mark, which means they have been made to high standards which are clearly set out in EC directives.