Why should we be concerned about infra-red light?
Sunlight is made up of a spectrum of light of varied wavelengths.
Infra-red sunlight accounts for a large part of that spectrum,
and it can be harmful.
The spectrum of light can be divided into three major groups:
That means our glasses, which block UV sunlight, only protect us from 3%-5%
of the sunlight's harmful spectrum, while we remain unprotected from more
than half the sun's damaging spectrum of light!
Infra-red light can be harmful
Infra-red light is energy that produces heat. It is used in the food industry's ovens to heat our food. When it arrives from the sun, it heats our eyes. The body has a natural defense mechanism against overheating. However, when the eyes are bathed in strong sunlight, the natural mechanism cannot cope and the eyes are in danger of damage. Such damage can be caused by high levels of infrared exposure over a short period of time, or by low levels of infrared over a longer period. What's more, infra-red sunlight becomes even stronger when reflected off surfaces such as water, snow,
sand or pavement.
The effect of IR light on the human eye:
The cornea and the watery humor are the eye tissues most vulnerable to infra-red radiation. However, the greatest concern is with the effect of heating on the lens and retina, the two most visually sensitive components of the eye. Typically, damage caused by the long wavelengths of infra-red radiation is photothermal, because when tissue absorbs infra-red radiation, it becomes heat.
Research has demonstrated a synergy between thermal and photochemical effects.
That means, not only can infra-red radiation cause thermal damage to the eye,
but it also enhances the known damaging effects of UV rays.
source: Health Physics 2013 (105), 74–96
IR radiation's damaging effects on the eyes
Retina
Photothermal damage occurs on a cellular and molecular level when the radiant energy of light reaches the retinal tissue. The patient experience includes visual aberrations such as decreased or foggy vision, central scotoma, metamorphopsia, chromatopsia and headache.
Lens
Research indicates that exposure to sunlight's infra-red radiation facilitates development of cataract, while near-infra-red rays can cause thermal damage to the crystalline lens.
Cornea
Corneal thermal damage from exposure to infra-red sunlight may include opacifications, ulcers, debris, epithelial and stromal haze, thickening, or epithelial erosion, while damaging high doses of infra-red produce immediate pain and vascularization. Eventually, loss of transparency and opacification occur, with the appearance of corneal burns like those appearing on skin exposed to infra-red.
Eyelids
It was previously thought that only ultra-violet light damages the skin. However it is now known that the longer wavelengths of near-infra-red radiation also damage the skin, and affect the delicate skin of the eyelids, causing a range of reactions from mild reddening to eventual cell-death of the skin.
The Solution: Shamir Glacier+ UV IR™
With the understanding that the sunlight we enjoy can also be a hazard to our eyes, we need protection from more than the sun's UV rays. Infra-red light from the sun can damage our eyes. That's why Shamir now introduces
Shamir Glacier+ UV IRTM - the lens coating that provides extra layers of protection.
Shamir Glacier+ UV IR™
Continuing to develop innovative ways of improving vision and protecting visual health, Shamir's R&D Department presents Shamir Glacier+ UV IRTM an innovative, multi-layered lens coating that protects the eyes both from the sun's UV rays as well as its IR rays, significantly reducing the amount of IR light reaching the eyes.
Shamir Glacier+ UV IRTM provides up to 3 times more protection than any other standard lens by filtering the IR radiation.
Comparative performance of Shamir Glacier Plus lens coating, and the new Shamir Glacier+ UV IR.
Shamir Glacier+ UV IRTM offers greater protection against infra-red sunlight
than other premium coating by filtering the IR radiation.
Shamir Glacier+ UV IRTM consists of extra layers of lens coating added to those offered by Shamir Glacier Plus UV.
These layers represent the advanced IR technology that was added with the aim of providing more comprehensive protection.
Benefits of Shamir Glacier+ UV IR™
Comprehensive UV protection
from incoming and reflected light
-
Improved anti-reflectionminimizes distracting glare
Enhanced antistatic properties
repels dust, stays clean
Hydro- and oleo-phobic
water and stain resistant
Durable
stronger and longer lasting
NEW infra-red light protection
A new generation of protection against
the damaging effects of infra-red sunlight.
In addition to all that, Shamir Glacier+ UV IR
enhances visual acuity with comfort and style.
Shamir Glacier+ UV IR™ is recommended for…
Anyone who wears glasses, including:
> Clear/Blue Zero > Transitions® > Sunglasses
In any frame and index
For today's best sun protection package we recommend combining Shamir Glacier+ UV IR™ with Shamir Blue Sun™
for the most comprehensive protection against blue light, infra-red radiation, and UV rays - all in one lens!
Shamir Glacier+ UV IR™ All the plus you need
