New ZEISS UVProtect Technology

Keeping your eyes in good health is not just about wearing sunglasses in the summer. Protecting eyes from harmful UV light all year round is essential for healthy vision.
With the launch of UVProtect Technology, global lens manufacturer ZEISS is raising its standards for eye health care; providing full UV protection in all clear ZEISS Lenses – all day, every day, without compromising clarity1.

ZEISS – raising their standard for eye health care
Constant exposure to UV rays is not only harmful to the skin but also to the eyes. Over time it can accelerate ageing of the skin around the eyes and cause various forms of eye disorders such as cataracts, macula degeneration and eyelid skin cancers. Current industry standards (such as ISO 8980-3) require clear spectacle lenses to provide UV protection up to 380 nanometres (nm). However, approximately 40% of UV radiation in daylight occurs between 380 to 400 nm, and these long UV waves penetrate more deeply into the skin’s tissue. This means that up until now, most clear lenses have fallen short of fully protecting individuals’ eyes from UV radiation up to 400 nm, potentially posing a risk to eye health.

Safeguarding for spectacles
Despite the fact that UV radiation is always present – no matter the time of year or the weather – many clear lenses currently available in the market don’t protect against UV damage. What’s more, while many spectacle wearers are aware UV light can damage their eyes, they frequently do not take adequate protective measures, dismissing UV as a summer issue. While 95% of consumers surveyed think it’s important to protect the body and skin from UV rays, research suggests only 20% of people always wear sunglasses when out in the sunshine; even though 99% of spectacle wearers think it’s important to protect their eyes from UV light.2

Combining scientific innovation and aesthetics
ZEISS scientists have now found ways to modify their clear lens materials for full UV protection without noticeably changing visible light transmission or negatively impacting the wearer’s visual experience. Which means that now clear, all-day spectacle lenses manufactured by ZEISS offer the same UV protection as premium sunglasses. ZEISS has therefore aligned its lens portfolio. From now on, clear ZEISS lenses will provide protection against UV rays up to 400 nm.

Eye health is too important to risk
Dr Debbie Laughton, Head of Professional Services at Carl Zeiss Vision UK comments: “UV radiation is always present, even on cloudy days and it can have a serious impact on the health of the eyes and the surrounding skin, with organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) defining the need to block UV rays up to 400 nm. With ZEISS UVProtect technology, spectacle wearers can be assured that all clear ZEISS lenses fully block UV rays, offering full UV protection to the eyes and surrounding skin, without compromising clarity.”

Now ZEISS offers full UV protection thanks to the combination of UVProtect Technology in all clear ZEISS plastic lenses2 plus ZEISS premium UV coatings.

1. Full UV protection in all clear ZEISS plastic lenses
2. ZEISS external wearer trial with 100 spectacle lens wearers and 7 eye care professionals in 2018
3. Bifocal lenses will also be available with UVProtect Technology by the end of 2018