What's "cool" is wearing sunglasses to save your sight. Photo: Warner Bros.
Have you wondered how you can keep your eyes looking rested and seeing well? Protect them from sun damage.
Unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) and high-energy visible (HEV) light may result in damage to your eyes that in some cases, is irreversible including:
• Pterygia or pinguequlae – Sun damage to the eye can cause tissue growth on the surface of the eye which can make the eyes look red, feel irritated, and result in blocked, or decreased vision.
• Photokeratitis – Corneal irritation caused by exposure to intense sunlight while skiing, snowboarding, water skiing, and boating can cause tearing, light sensitivity, and temporary decrease in vision.
• Cataracts – Studies have concluded that exposure to UV light may cause cataracts; which are one of the leading cause of vision loss worldwide.
• Macular Degeneration – Research has shown that HEV sun light may cause macular degeneration; a medical condition where vision is lost because of damage to the retina.
• Wrinkles – Squinting is your eye’s attempt to limit it’s exposure to sunlight. But squinting will cause wrinkles to develop more rapidly around your eyes.
Your eyes need protection from 4 different types of light rays:
• HEV – High Energy Visible light is visible blue light that penetrates deep into the eye and can cause macular degeneration.
• UVA – lowest energy UV rays that can pass through cornea and may speed up development of cataracts and macular degeneration.
• UVB - intermediate energy UV rays that reach through the ozone layer. They stimulate the cells on the surface of the eye to change and result in pterygium, pinguequlum, skin discoloration, and wrinkles.
• UVC - highest energy UV rays that are mostly blocked by the ozone layer.
Do’s and Don’ts for protecting your eyes from harmful light rays:
• Don’t compromise on buying quality sunglasses that best protect your eyes. Choose sunglasses with 99-100% protection from both UVA and UVB rays. This should be clearly labeled on any sunglasses you buy.
• Do wear sunglasses outdoors; when it’s sunny or cloudy, and even in the shade.
• Do wear sunglasses even if you wear contacts or intraocular lenses that have UV block.
• Do choose bronze, copper, or reddish brown lenses – they will block HEV rays and UV rays.
• Don’t wear pink, blue, or green tinted lenses - these may block UV rays but will not block HEV rays.
• Do wear wide brimmed hat and/or wrap around sunglasses.
• Don’t forget sunglasses for your kids – they may spend more time outdoors than you do and sun damage is cumulative.
What to do if you have sun damage to your eyes and vision
• Consult your eye doctor – many conditions can be treated and progression stopped.
American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
American Academy of Dermatology
Comments