To ensure perfect vision, pilots must wear special sunglasses while flying.
Pilots often wear sunglasses during flights, but not just to look cool. Many might think that wearing sunglasses could hinder their ability to identify all the signal lights, buttons, and instructions in the cockpit. However, this is not the case.
The most important aspect for a pilot is to maintain good health and perfect vision. They need to undergo annual health checks to ensure there are no vision problems. Daily eye care is essential for maintaining perfect eyesight, but this is not always easy for pilots.
The harmful radiation emitted by the Sun is mostly filtered out by Earth’s atmosphere, so sunlight is generally not a concern if you spend most of your time on the ground. However, in the sky, there is less atmosphere and the brightness increases by 5% for every 100 feet (30.5 meters). On average, planes fly at an altitude of 35,000 feet (10,700 meters), which means UV radiation levels are 1,750% higher than those at ground level.
This can be very detrimental to vision, making pilots more susceptible to eye diseases. Experiencing such issues could cost pilots their careers. That’s why they wear sunglasses to protect their eyesight.
Pilot sunglasses must also be of the highest quality. They should minimize the impact of sunlight and provide 100% eye protection. Additionally, they should not be polarized because polarization can obstruct the ability to view cockpit screens. This type of eyewear must completely reduce eye strain and minimize color distortion so that pilots can see as if they are not wearing glasses.
