Better vision. Better life. Eye protection and high-contrast vision become increasingly important with age! Optimised protection of the eyes against light is becoming increasingly important. A rising life expectancy and a sun-loving lifestyle mean that our eyes are subject to increased exposure to UV radiation. In the case of a normal deterioration in vision brought about by the ageing process, but also in the case of age-related macular degeneration, and especially before and after cataract operations, sunlight can cause considerable glare and possibly lead to irreversible damage to the retina in the area of the macula. Optimised protection against light must therefore greatly reduce the transmission of light in the violet and blue range. By providing optimum protection against glare and by increasing contrast, special filter glasses with all-round glare protection should lead to an increase in the quality of vision and protect the eyes from irreversible damage in the area of the macula.

Eye protection and glare 1. As we age our contrast sensitivity reduces. This is largely due to increased clouding of the lens and vitreous humour. Our ability to see contrasts in colour also decreases. Clouding in the eye media also creates an increased, unpleasant sensitivity to glare. 2. Short-wave, visible light components (blue and violet) can damage the photoreceptors (mainly the blue receptors) and accelerate age-related macular degeneration.

Little awareness of the need for eye protection Results of the Healthy Sight Study The results of a recent study show that there is much ignorance amongst the population regarding UV rays as a source of danger to the eyes and what risks these rays pose. It is worth noting that the majority of Germans are aware of the effects of harmful UV rays without the use of appropriate sunscreen and that sun protection in the form of creams containing a high protection factor has therefore already become part of sunbathing. However, in contrast to this, the fact that UV rays can also have extremely negative effects on the eyes is virtually unknown. The dangers of UV rays are not just lurking, as most people would assume, during the summer months, but also the whole year round. The results of the study show that Germans have little awareness of this. As would be expected, 62% of those asked knew that the risk of harm from UV rays is at its greatest during summer. What is alarming is that only 9% were aware of the dangers posed by UV rays in spring and only 1% were aware of the dangers posed in autumn. And only 28% were aware of how aggressive UV rays are in winter. During the cold months of the year, the risk is doubled as snow and ice reflect light by up to 85% and this reflection causes increased glare. The energy-rich blue/violet light components produce considerably more glare than the long-wave green/red light components.

The effects of glare are unpleasant and have an adverse effect on the quality of vision. Glare is created not only when there is a clear blue sky, but also in cloudy conditions and in artificial light. According to the study, 87% of those asked stated that the effects of glare can cause tiredness of the eyes and eye strain. 97% said that this type of glare can be troublesome. 67% of those taking part in the study even believe that the effects of glare cause headaches and 33% confirmed the opinion that this type of light reflection can negatively affect vision, not just on a temporary but also on a permanent basis.

The effect of light on the eye In principle, only radiation which is absorbed by matter can create an effect. This can be of a physical, photometric or photodynamic nature. In the case of a physical effect, the absorbed radiation is converted into heat. At a high level of intensity, heat damage can occur in the retina. The photochemical effect takes place mainly in the case of UVB radiation. The radiation energy absorbed directly releases chemical reactions. The probability of this grows as the energy content of the radiation increases, i.e. with decreasing wave length, e.g. damage of the DNA through short-wave UV radiation (skin cancer). The photodynamic effect mainly occurs in the UVA and visible light range. The absorbed radiation is emitted again as fluorescent light. These types of fluorescent compounds can act as sensitizers by converting the oxygen present into a highly active form. This affects the surrounding tissue in the biological medium and creates oxidative stress through the creation of free radicals.

The effect of light before and after cataract operations or in the case of AMD UV light is absorbed by the frontal eye media (cornea, eye lens) and affects the clouding process in the case of cataracts. When clouding of the eye lens reduces visual acuity to an unacceptable level, the cloudy lens can be replaced by a clear artificial lens (cataract operation). The visible, energy-rich blue/violet light components (up to approx. 500nm) penetrate through to the retina and effect the development of the AMD. Young and healthy eyes have a pigment in the macula (lutein and zeaxanthin), which offers natural protection, on the one hand as an absorbent layer for short-wave blue light and by having an antioxidative effect which links the so-called radicals on the other. If the concentration of the pigment reduces with increasing age, then the natural protection will decrease and AMD can develop. In order to combat this process, it is important to start protecting the eyes in the form of a filter lens at an early stage and well in advance, therefore already at a young age. With increasing age, the retinal pigment layer decreases and at the same time the colour pigmentation of the eye lens slowly increases in the yellow areas, so that a relative balance is created which offers quite good protection in the area of the macula. In the case of a cataract operation, the artificial lens will not provide this protective effect. This can only be partially combated by a yellow tint. According to Meyer SM, Ostroysky, 95% of implanted IOLs are clear, "yellow“ IOLs may possibly absorb too little, as the absorption of a 50-year-old lens is imitated*. 2




Discolouration of the lens during the ageing process

6 months

8 years

12 years

15 years

60 years

70 years

82 years

90 years

47 years

Diagram 1: Discolouration of the lens during the ageing process. Source: Lerman S., "Radiant Energy and the Eye“. New York: Macmillan, 1980

Why all-round protection is so important! Studies have shown that in the case of conventional glasses, 30 to 60% unfiltered and dispersed light passes through to the eye. In this way, even the best sunglasses lose a considerable amount of their effect, particularly as the pupils widen behind dark lenses. The danger increases as the darkness of the lenses intensifies behind which the pupils open.

light from above blocket by the iris

direct axial rays

lateral rays

direct lateral rays

Diagram 2: Entry of unfiltered direct and diffused light into the eye in the case of flat lenses and thin temples (3060%).

Right hand illustration in Diagram 2: Light entering the to the retina eye in an axial direction can reflection from below either be blocked by the iris or reach the lens virtually unimpeded. In contrast, direct light which enters the eye in a lateral direction is dispersed and absorbed in the nasal position of the eye lens. This effect is held responsible for most of the clouding that occurs in this lens area (according to Sliney D H).

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Glare and contrast vision Short-wave light of up to approx. 500nm creates dispersed light in clouded eye media. The result is poor contrast vision and an increased glare sensitivity, often also a reduction in visual acuity. If these harmful light components are filtered out, then the contrast will increase, glare will reduce and vision will become significantly more comfortable. Many studies confirm the harmful effect of short-wave light up to approx. 500nm. Protection of the retina against these harmful light components can prevent AMD and/or slow down its development.

wellnessPROTECT filter lenses protect the eyes against harmful UV radiation ase contrast vision and reduce glare Vision becomes more comfortable, richer in contrast and often clearer! These innovative special filter lenses protect the retina against harmful, short-wave blue/violet light components! wellnessPROTECT filter lenses are special cut-off filters which have an effect of just below KF511, but offer major advantages: • wellnessPROTECT filter lenses are suitable for wearing whilst driving, the wearer is still able to recognise traffic signals! • wellnessPROTECT filter lenses look stylish. As brown tints between 15% and 85% are applied to the cut-off filters, there is no visible difference between these filter lenses and conventional sunglasses. In the case of conventional cut-off filter lenses the extreme yellow, orange and red tints are often unattractive. The different tint variations of wellnessPROTECT filter lenses are individually suited to the requirement profile of the customer! • wellnessPROTECT 15

suitable for all light conditions

• wellnessPROTECT 65

for sunlight

• wellnessPROTECT 85

for intense sunlight

• wellnessPROTECT 15/50

graded tint – the lower lens area has a lighter tint. Increased comfort when reading and working. The graded tint makes it easier to recognise the controls in a car!

• Special finishes are possible in other tint variations. • Individual lens powers are also available in all the common types of spectacle lens.

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Avoid glare with the original wellnessPROTECT all-round glare protection glasses! •

All-round glare protection due to unique, new frame in 2 sizes –

glare protection from above and below

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upper inner side is blackened

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tinted side lenses provide side protection

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ventilation slots on the side

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temple can be shortened

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frame also available with individual lens powers with all wellnessPROTECT filter lenses

The wellnessPROTECT clip-on lenses can be used for quickly determining the correct filter combination. Conclusion: Maintaining our vision right through into old age is a challenge that we all must meet, at the same we should always be aware of the enormous potential that this area offers. Extensive eye protection is becoming increasingly important. This new eyewear concept featuring sunglasses with special UV protection, offers effective protection for the retina. Precisely because of an ever-increasing life expectancy, preventative all-round protection is becoming increasingly important. In addition to this, the improvement in contrast vision also leads to an increased quality of vision and a more relaxed vision. Unpleasant glare is also greatly reduced. This new concept succeeds in providing eye protection, increased contrast vision and effective protection against glare through the use of an innovative filter combination and a visually appealing frame. These special filter lenses are blue blockers which can be worn whilst driving. They frequently produce a significantly better reduction in light glare than conventional, often darker sunglasses. This is due to a better reduction in glare components up to 500nm. WellnessPROTECT filter lenses are not just beneficial for AMD, cataracts and retinal disease. WellnessPROTECT are also always the better sunglasses. Bibliography: (1) Optimierter Lichtschutz der Augen. Eine dringende Aufgabe und ihre Lösung, S Hünig, Institut für organische Chemie, Würzburg (2) Little awareness of the need for eye protection. Latest results of the 2009 Healthy Study are available, Detlev Seifert, Transitions Optical Trade Management, Optometrie 2/2009 (3) Neue Wege, Wellness und Healthcare als Marktpotenzial der Augenoptik, Silke Sage, Focus 06.2009 (4) Meyer SM, Ostrovsky MA, Bonner RF, “A model of spectral filtering to reduce photochemical damage in age related macular degeneration.” Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc 2004 Author: Dipl.-Ing.(FH) Kurt Winkler, Eschenbach Optik GmbH, Germany. 2011

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