Silhouette, Europe’s leading eyewear manufacturer, has come up with a solution in the form of IQ Pol- a range of sunglasses that combines superior levels of customizable protection with superior, style led design.

Just as we protect our skin from the sun by selecting an appropriate protection factor for our type of skin, so we should take into consideration the sensitivity of our eyes when it comes to selecting appropriate sun protection via sunglasses.

The sun’s rays can be dangerous for our eyes, in particular invisible UV, infrared and blue light can harm the retina, even on cloudy days. We often underestimate the danger of the sun’s rays because most of them are invisible. It is only blue to green, yellow, orange and red to violet rays that are visible (those that fall into the 380 - 780 nanometre range). It is also a common misconception that the darker the sun lens the greater protection provided, however, sunglasses only offer real protection if they are equipped with 100% UV protection and a particularly intensive blue-light filter, which is why Silhouette are the ideal choice this summer.

In addition to the more commonly known and understood UV A and B rays there is also increasing concern about the detrimental effects of UV C and "Blue Light". Most designer shades provide little or no Blue Light protection and many offer only questionable levels of UV protection. Silhouette is the first eyewear company to get serious about "Blue Light" protection- even providing the first "Blue Light" filter classification.

Silhouette’s IQ Pol lenses provide 100% protection against UV A, B and C rays up to 400 nanometers as well as a high degree of blue light protection. These levels are now recommended for use 365 days of the year as the sun also has unimaginable strength on even overcast days and this can cause long-term damage to our eyes- which, after all, account for 80% of our sensory impressions.

If Silhouette’s IQ Pol lenses were suntan lotion, they would correspond to the European protection factor 32- providing a high level of protection and making them suitable for individuals with sensitive, pale skin and light-coloured eyes.

Sunlight is all around…it can be reflected sideways into the eyes from surfaces such as asphalt, water and sand. This effect is based on the principle of horizontal polarisation, where light is reflected from a horizontal surface. For this reason, polarising filters are vertically structured to stop such light waves and at the same time significantly reduce glare.

When wearing Silhouette’s IQ Pol lenses, the wearer’s perception of colour contrasts is increased and all hues maintain their brilliance- ideal for stronger rays of sunshine, glare, in hazy conditions, in the snow or on water. All 16 models in the collection can be equipped to meet your individual requirements and the brown, grey and green-coloured lenses, in addition to looking great on pale skin, also provide clarity of vision for more effective driving and skiing, making Silhouette eyewear your summer essential.