The sun is an enemy for the eyes. However, many French people put aesthetics and brand before UV protection when choosing their pair of sunglasses.
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At the sea as in the mountains, our eyes do indeed need to be protected against UV rays, because they are toxic for the retina in particular. As for visible light, the one that dazzles us, it is suspected of being linked to a degenerative disease that develops with age, AMD (Macular degeneration).
SoHow to choose your pair? In terms of sun protection, there are five indices depending on the degree of light filtration: from class 0 to class 4. Prefer classes 3 and 4. With categories 1 or 2, your glasses will only have an aesthetic interest . For water sports, an index of 3 is sufficient. But if you are very sensitive to glare linked to water reverberation, prefer class 4.
On the other hand, no question of driving with a pair of class 4: it would be far too dark to be safe, and it is also prohibited by law.
You don’t have to pay a lot for good sunglasses. The tests carried out by 60 million consumers show that quality can exist at low prices: glasses from brands specializing in sports offer good performance in category 3 for around twenty euros.
But you have to be careful: before buying, check that the CE mark is present on the pair. And that the case contains a notice in French specifying the class of protection of the glasses. This is the only way to be sure that the product is compliant.
Finally, if your child does not want to wear his sunglasses. What to do ? Insist and make him wear class 3 or 4 glasses. Because exposure to the sun in childhood is very toxic for the retina, a bit like sunburn. UV can cause irreversible damage.