Blue light damage
With life expectancy always on the increase, the amount of sun we are exposed to increases over the years and means the risk of ocular lesions increases. Blue light can seriously damage the eyes and can be attributed to retinal diseases including AMD*. The eye has its own defence mechanism against blue light but unfortunately it decreases as we get older: at 40 years-old, we have already lost 20% of our initial retinal Melanin and at 65 years-old, it is around 50%.
*Among the known causes of AMD are sun exposure, smoking, heredity and food.
The figures
- AMD is the number one cause of blindness for people over 50 years old living in developed countries
- It affects 8% of the population over 50 years old, and, with increasing life expectancy, it could affect twice as many patients in 25 years time
- The risk of developing AMD doubles in cases of moderate to high sun exposure,compared to low sunlight exposure
- In equal concentration, blue light is 15 times more damaging for the retina than the rest of visible radiations
Essential visual protection
The dangers of Blue Light
HEV or 'blue light' is part of the visible range of the light spectrum. the rays are the shortest of wavelength (between 380and 500 nm) but have the highest energy content. Daylight contains many such rays, in particular when the sky is cloudless.
One solution: Melanin
Melanin is a natural pigment which is found throughout the human body. Its role is to protect us against sunlight damage, by filtering UV and HEV light. Melanin is the pigment that gives hair and brown eyes their colour, as well as giving our skin the sun tanned appearance. it is the body's natural defence system against the harmful effects of the sun.
Protection of the Retina
To provide the eyes with optimal protection against the sun, Essilor has created a sun lens which contains manufactured Melanin. It acts in the same way as natural Melanin, just like a shield against harmful UV and HEV, which means preserving the retina's well being.
Eye contour protection
By filtering 100% of uv and 98% of blue light, Airwear® Melanin lenses successfully protect the eyes, and also the thin fragile skin around them, which is very sensitive to premature wrinkling when exposed to the sun.
Outstanding visual performance
A blue light filter that enhances contrast and offers sharp vision.
Blue light is the very part of the visible light spectrum that is most scattered within intra-ocular media, resulting in the creation of a veiling glare. A blue light filter that enhances contrast and offers sharp vision.
Because of the eye's longitudinal chromatic aberration, blue light focuses in front of the retina.
A good colour restitution
Tints which filter blue light, may distort colours. Unlike ?¢?ǨÀúblue-blockers' which totally block it, Airwear® Melanin lenses filter blue light in proportion to its harmfulness. Airwear® Melanin lenses allow the wearer to maintain the perception of natural colours and are even recommended for driving.
A technical innovation
Mass-tinted
The lenses are mass-tinted in the same way that non prescription sunglasses are. This means that the pigments within the lenses remain the same for the lifetime of the lenses and will not be damaged even in the event of scratching or constant exposure to UV light.
Equi-thickness of the tinted layer
The colour is perfectly consistent on the whole lens surface regardless of the power of the lens.
Airwear Melanin
This product is part of Essilors ongoing commitment to local practices, promoting faster turnaround and better support to the New Zealand market.
Learn more about the Buy NZ Made campaign