At Ra Optics, we agree that the mainstream health authorities and government stances on light are not exactly correct.
Considerable scientific evidence makes it clear that some quantity of UV light exposure, especially UV-B, is not only beneficial, but essential for the natural production of vitamin D, and optimal health. We recommend our customers ensure ample exposure to unfiltered, full-spectrum daylight—but in a highly intentional and targeted manner.
However, some modern health “experts”, especially in the biohacking world, have taken this too far, suggesting that more is always better, and advocating for maximum sunlight exposure.
This is dangerous advice and predisposes adherents to—at best—accelerated skin and eye aging and damage, and—at worst—increased risk of skin cancer and other related issues.
Indigenous cultures living in extreme solar environments made every effort to protect themselves from the damaging effects of excess sun exposure, which they could see and feel. For example, Inuit tribes living in Arctic climates fashioned “snow goggles” out of wood or bone to prevent snow blindness.
The incidence of cataracts is significantly higher in high-intensity solar environments like India, and especially in high-elevation regions like Nepal and Tibet.
Hence, intelligent protection from UV light is not only beneficial, but essential, especially in high-intensity solar environments.
At Ra Optics, we also acknowledge the risks of HEVL (high-energy visible light), which are almost completely ignored by the vast majority of existing sunglass products.