WAVELENGTHS AND UV LIGHT We receive wavelengths through two organs; we see light through our eyes and we capture sound through our ears. From radio waves to gamma rays, wavelengths gradually constrict, causing their frequency to increase and making them consume more and more energy. Hence, waves gradually increase in intensity and therefore are more dangerous for the eyes. The sun emits three types of light waves and without the correct eye protection each in its own way can seriously affect the eye. ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT RAYS: 5% of the sun’s energy reaches the earth in this form. UV rays (invisible “tanning” rays) can cause serious damage to the unprotected eye including the development of cataracts and corneal blistering.
INFRARED LIGHT RAYS: 50% of the sun’s energy reaches the earth as heat or infrared. Some IR rays will be absorbed by the cornea creating a drying effect – an issue of importance to contact lens wearers. VISIBLE LIGHT RAYS: 45% of the sun’s energy reaches the earth in what the eye perceives as colour. Blue light waves are the most difficult to see. When the unprotected eye strains to focus on it, all other colours can be distorted. After two to three hours in bright sunlight, eyes can have trouble adjusting to night vision. The human eye is not able to identify the various elements of a ray – it only sees the results, which are a function of the different wavelengths and their respective light intensity. The human eye can only see wavelengths within the “visible spectrum” (between 380 and 780 nanometres).
380 NM
10 -13 NM
Gamma
X rays UV
IR Micro waves
Radio
10 -13 NM
780 NM
COMPLETE SPECTRUM
VISIBLE SPECTRUM
CONSEQUENCES OF VISIBLE U.V AND I.R RADIATION ON THE EYE
INVISIBLE SPECTRUM - U.V
VISIBLE SPECTRUM
INVISIBLE SPECTRUM - INFRARED
U.V.C
U.V.B
U.V.A
NEAR INFRARED
MIDDLE INFRARED
INDIGO PURPLE BLUE GREEN YELLOW ORANGE RED
UVC 100 - 280 nm
UVB 280 - 315 nm
UVA 315-380 nm
BLUE LIGHT 380 - 480 nm
VISIBLE LIGHT 380 - 780 nm
NEAR IR 780 - 1400 nm
MIDDLE IR 1400 - 2000 nm
Conjunctivitis Partial blindness
Conjunctivitis Partial blindness
Conjunctivitis Partial blindness
CORNEA
Cataract Premature ageing
Cataract Premature ageing
Conjunctivitis Partial blindness
LENS
Conjunctivitis
Cataract
Vision problems Discontinuous vision
Partial blindness Photoretinitis
Retinitis pigmentosa
RETINA
Conjunctivitis
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