Eye Care News From
Post, O'Connor & Kadrmas Eye Centers

Do you know that everyone is at risk for eye damage from exposure to the sun that can lead to vision loss?

During July, UV Safety Month, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and eye doctors around the country, including ourselves, encourage you to protect your eyes from UV-related damage.

The same UV-A and UV-B rays that can damage your skin can harm your eyes as well. When you protect yourself from the sun, don't just think sunscreen – think sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat.  Excessive, prolonged UV exposure may be linked to the development of eye conditions such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. 

Extensive or intense exposure to UV rays can also cause "sunburn" on the surface of your eye. Similar to a skin sunburn, eye surface burns usually disappear within a couple of days, but may lead to further complications later in life so protect your eyes. 

To protect your eyes, wear a brimmed hat and the right kind of sunglasses when you are going to be exposed to UV light.  You should wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B rays.  If you spend time on the water or in the snow, consider purchasing goggles or sunglasses that wrap around your temples because they block the sun’s rays from entering on the sides, offering better protection.

Remember two things.  Sunglasses don't have to have dark lenses or be expensive to offer the right kind of UV protection.  Even inexpensive glasses can protect your eyes if they offer 99 to 100 percent UV-A and UV-B protection.

Please don't forget your children.  Protect their eyes with hats and sunglasses.  In addition, try to keep them out of the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. when the sun's ultraviolet rays are the strongest.

It's important to protect your eyes when UV light is most intense.  Reflected sunlight off water, snow and pavement can be the most dangerous type of UV light because it is intensified.   Generally, UV light is at the greatest level at midday (10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.), but you need to protect your eyes whenever you're outside for a prolonged period, even when it's gray and overcast.

Your eyes can be harmed by UV light sources other than the sun, such as welding lamps or tanning lights. So remember to wear eye protection when using these sources of invisible, high energy UV rays.

You hold the key to protecting your vision from the dangerous affects of ultra-violet radiation.  If you and your children follow these recommendations, you can have “fun in the sun” and still protect a lifetime of vision!