Pilots Aviation

Pilots Aviation

How Important Are Aviator Sunglasses For Pilots?

Many individuals choose aviator sunglasses for a fashion statement, but for pilots the choice of sunglasses is a much more critical decision, one which should not be taken lightly without information about the significance of eye protection.

There's a lot of evidence that light, both that which we are able to see (visible light), and light we cannot see (ultraviolet light), potentially can harm a pilot's eyes that will result in cataracts, macular degeneration, or, sometimes, cancer of the skin around the eyelids.

Avoid Intense Light Sources

Everyone knows that viewing very intense light sources like the flash from a welder's torch, or viewing a solar eclipse, could potentially cause serious damage to our eyes, and even blindness. Clearly we know that serious eye injuries can happen from viewing welding arcs without having eye protection. Properly protecting our eyes from all of these events can prevent injury to our eyes.

Acquire Excellent Eye Protection

For pilots proper eye protection is all the more significant as they're a pilot's most important sensory asset. With regard to their exposure to considerable amounts of ultraviolet radiation the best aviator sunglasses are crucial because of their shape which protects the largest area surrounding a person's eye socket, preventing harmful rays from reaching the eye itself.

Pilots are usually exposed to more of the harmful rays from the sun because they they fly at higher altitudes decreasing the amount of diffusion light experiences because it travels throughout the earth's atmosphere to the earth's surface.

Recent Reports Warn About Radiation Dangers To The Eyes

In addition, recent reports have warned that depletion of the ozone layer around the earth has reduced the amount of harmful radiation from the sun blocked by the ozone layer before reaching the lower atmosphere.

There are two types of light which we should protect our eyes from:

UV-A, also referred to as "tanning rays" within the 315 to 400 nanometer wavelengths;

UV-B, also referred to as "burning rays" within the 280 to 315 nanometer wavelengths, and;

UV-C, known as the "dangerous rays" in the 100 to 280 nanometer wavelengths.

All light is a form of energy, and ultraviolet light rays are extremely strong and will cause damage to eyes if the eyes have prolonged and/or direct exposure to those powerful rays.

The Dangers To Eyes Because of Blue Light

UV-B, or "blue light", is within the visible range and also have been linked with skin cancer, as well as cancer of the skin around the eye socket. In addition, UV-B exposure is strongly linked to cortical cataract formation in the eyes.

When prolonged or continual exposure to ultraviolet radiation can not be avoided the most effective type of protection for pilots are pilot aviator sunglasses. Because of their shape they offer the greatest amount of protection for the pilot's eyes.

About the Author

John White is an ATP pilot who sold his business in 2004 and is now an Internet Publisher. His interests in aviation continue to increase through his blog, and various aviation-related websites on the internet.

He enjoys flying airplanes, sailing boats, photography and cross country skiing.

You can find his blog at All Things Aviation where he discusses current aviation events and offers products like Randolph Engineering Aviator Sunglasses for pilots.

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