Glaring issue: Cpl Dale Street contemplates the harsh desert while on service in Afghanistan. Photo by Cpl Jamie Osborne
UNLESS you are one of the beautiful people cavorting with the smart set at Monte Carlo, a $1000 pair of designer sunglasses probably won’t meet your demands for everyday use as a soldier.
On operations or in country our people operate at some time or another under bright sun or in glare.
Our eyes are among our most precious assets (forget the motorboat). Therefore it’s important that we protect them.
There is no doubt that a good pair of sunglasses can reduce damage caused by exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet radiation. In the long term such exposure can result in cataracts and opacity of the eye lens.
During the summer most UV exposure occurs between 10am and 4pm, in other words during most of a typical working day. Glare from bright, smooth surfaces (concrete, metal or glass) or flat surfaces (desertscapes) also places strain on the eyes as well as bouncing UV radiation.
Choosing the right type of sunglasses then should involve more than spending a microsecond in front of a mirror at the weekend markets trying on a pair of $5 specials.
Ideally, good sunglasses will block 100 per cent of UV rays. Check the label to see if this is the case. Some labels will have AS 1067 on them; this refers to the Australian standard which dictates certain minimum requirements for fashion spectacles and sunglasses.
It grades sunglasses on a scale of 1 to 4 (from least to highest UV protection). However, level 4 glasses should not be used for driving.
Sunglasses should also be glare resistant and, if not impact resistant, then at least be made of a material that won’t shatter and send shards into your eyes. Wraparound glasses offer very good glare protection.
The frames should also be of good quality and not prone to snap into sharp pieces. Avoid the temptation to use sunnies as a form of safety visor when engaged in cutting or grinding activities.
