Is the human eye flawed?  No, of course not, but like any biological system it could use a little bit of enhancement and protection from time to time.  That’s where sunglasses come into the mix.  Sunglasses were first used in 12^th Century China but did not gain real popularity until the early 1900’s .  Movie stars would wear sunglasses, not as a disguise or because they thought they were fashionable but to protect their eyes from the harsh lights used in film production.  In 1929 a progressive entrepreneur saw the mass market appeal of sunglasses and started selling them on the beach in New Jersey. 



 

Sunglasses are good for any outdoor activity but extra protection is needed during sports, especially extreme sports.  According to Wikipedia: “In outdoor activities like riding, skiing and flying, the eye can receive more light than usual. It has been recommended to wear these kind of glasses whenever outside to protect the eyes from ultraviolet radiation, which can lead to the development of a cataract.” 

 

Everyone agrees that some degree of protection from UV rays is important and it would be hard to find someone who did not believe that sunglasses are great asset but what about polarized lenses.  Polarized lenses have been around for decades but first found an audience with boaters and others who spent time on the water.  They reduce glare by limiting the wavelengths of light which are allowed to pass through the lens.  Polarization essentially uses tiny tubes that only allow the narrowest bands of light to pass. 

 

According to All About Vision: “Besides boaters, outdoor enthusiasts who benefit the most from polarized sunglasses include skiers, golfers, bikers, and joggers, who enjoy a clearer view along with elimination of glare.  These sunglasses can be used for driving and, in fact, can reduce glare from a long, flat surface such as the hood of the car or the road's surface.”

Whether you go with polarized or standard UV lenses, durability is crucial for outdoor sports.  You need a pair of sunglasses that can take a beating and continue to function.  Bikers and climbers frequently take on injury spills and expect their gear, including glasses to survive as well.  Leave it to the Europeans to meet the challenge.  In 2002, a Swiss athlete who had broken one too many pairs of sunglasses began his search for a super-lightweight, flexible-yet-sturdy fiber which could be used to make a sunglass frame that could withstand use and abuse by a sporting, rugged individual.  He found what he was looking for in a laboratory in his native Switzerland, gathered a team of top optical engineers and manufacturers and created a new line of super-tough, high-quality sunglasses. 

The “toughest eyewear out there” was soon discovered by the Swiss military, and has since become standard issue for Swiss Police SWAT teams.  Over the past three years, since these super sturdy sunglasses were developed the product has been field-tested by Swiss SWAT as well as countless skiers, extreme sportsmen and outdoorsmen.  In the summer of 2005, the Swiss group recruited a former Israeli Recon Sniper-Scout and an American product development group to develop a tactical and sportsman’s line called Numa Tactical.

These sunglasses are revolutionizing the field and offering a degree of eye protection that exceeds anything else on the market.  Everyone needs some protection but extreme athletes need a little bit more.  The good news is that they can now concentrate on protecting themselves and their eyes.  Their sunglasses no longer need protection.