Are sunglasses truly a fashion statement or protection?

Abstract

Seven brands of sunglasses were tested to determine which pair contains lenses with polarized lenses or UV protection. The sunglasses tested were chosen between two categories. Certified UV protection brands and famous brands. Ray bam, Panama Jack, Kylie-Kendall Jenner sunglasses are established as the famous brands. Military sunglasses, UV glasses, and Vogue sunglasses. The pair of sunglasses with the most UV protection is Vogue sunglasses.   

Before getting into the experiment, understanding the importance of UV rays and the types that are produced by the sun shows how glasses can be modified in the future. UV rays are known to have two types, UVA rays and UVB rays. UVA and UVB rays are dangerous rays that are known to cause blindness, Cataracts, and other eye damaging diseases. In the experiment, the 12 LED UV flashlight is portraying the sun and showing how the sunglasses can allow visible light to pass through but cannot stop powerful UV rays from entering the eye.

The hypothesis states that sunglasses from famous brands do not contain UV protection, since the exterior design of sunglasses seems to be more important in the day and age of society. At the end, the experiment teaches that health will always be placed above appearance and passion for the importance of one’s body.

Biblical application:

In the Bible, eyesight is seen as a sacred part of the human body. The gift of sight is special. God warns us to guard the heart, mind, and soul. He also warns to be careful on what is seen and heard. The Bible gives insight on how the body is a temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Taking care of the body is essential for honoring God. According to Isaiah 5:21(ESV), “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!” (OpenBible.info). When it comes to individuals, there will always be a considerate opinion for the health of eyesight. Isaiah 5:21(ESV) ties in perfectly on how wearing the wrong sunglasses can cause permanent damage to the eyes. In Matthew 6:22-23(ESV), “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (OpenBible.info). God created the eyes with importance and individual should care about eyes like God does. Throughout the Bible, the sun is portrayed as the holder of the light and darkness (Job 26:10). The verse states the sun’s power and paints a picture of the damage the sun’s UV rays can possibly do to not only the human body, but the environment.

Materials and Methods:

To replicate the experiment, the importance of having sunglasses of different stature is important. The purpose behind the experiment is to develop what is composed of having correct and healthy sunglasses. the material required for this experiment are:

1. Six different brands of sunglasses
2. UV Flashlight (12 LED UV flashlight)
3. Dollar bills (USD currency $1, $5,$10,$20)
4. Logbook for observations

To repeat the method or procedures of the experiment is found below:

1. Find a dark area and turn on the 12 UV LED flashlight. Make sure the area has no windows for the results.
2. Apply the UV flashlight on the lens of the sunglasses or put on the sunglasses. Applying the UV flashlight on the lens could possibly cause a different result, then wearing the sunglasses.
3. With flashlight in hand or on the lens, scan it over on of the dollar bills, preferably a twenty-dollar bill. Check for the water mark on the front page of the dollar (where the president is located or famous American figure) and the watermark on the back page where the image of the white house is the watermark that determines the use of the sunglasses, whether it is UV protected. If the watermark on the back of the dollar bill is bolded than not only is visible light passing through but dangerous UVA rays and UVB rays are going through the lenses reaching the eyes. If spots, dots, stains, or lines are visible that is also a sign of UVA rays and UVB rays passing through.
4. Once this process is complete, repeat for the other sunglasses in line for testing.

Results

Observation table of each sunglasses    

Discussions

The basis behind the observation was to see which brand of sunglasses had the best option for UV protection. Again, six pairs of sunglasses were tested. Only one showed sign of UV protection. The Vogue sunglasses were known to contain some sort of UV protection. No dots, spots or stains appeared with the vogue sunglasses. The sunglasses with none to less UV protection were the Ray-bam sunglasses many dots appeared and the watermark on the front of the page seemed to have gaps, when only the watermark on the back page of the dollar should have gaps.  The assumptions made in the beginning of the experiment were how the famous brands would not have any polarized lenses or UV protection, since famous brands are known to focus on the exterior of the sunglasses instead of the interior of the sunglasses or commonly known as the use.  A way to change to possibly change the results of the experiments would be changing or finding another LED flashlight with a different amount of LED. Another way to change the results could be changing the types of sunglasses or change the twenty-dollar bill with other dollar bills. These are suggestions given to change the experiment, At the end of each experiment, every individual is left with one’s interpretation

Work cited:

1. “How Do I Protect Myself from UV Rays?”, American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/skin-cancer/prevention-and-early-detection/uv-protection.html
2. University of Iowa Health Care, “What is the difference between UVA rays and UVB rays?”2019. https://uihc.org/health-topics/what-difference-between-uva-and-uvb-rays
3. Vision source, “The Science of Sunglasses” July 11^th, 2017 https://visionsource.com/blog/the-science-of-sunglasses/
4. NIH, National Eye Institute, “Keep your eyes healthy: Wear Sunglasses” https://nei.nih.gov/hvm/healthy_eyes_glasses
5. Stevenson, Shane “You think your cooler than me? -Here’s the side effects of wearing sunglasses?” https://themodelhealthshow.com/side-effects-of-sunglasses/