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Archive for the ‘Eyes and Sun Damage’ Category

Sunglasses in the Winter?

Monday, December 12th, 2011

Many people associate sunglasses with summer. Time spent outdoors when the sun is closer seems like an ideal time to wear sunglasses to reduce glare, strain, and other discomforts. While it is important to wear sunglasses in the summertime, preventing sun damaged eyes requires diligent use of sunglasses in the winter as well.

UV Rays

In the summer, your eyes are affected by UV rays from above. In the winter, due to glare off of snow, your eyes are affected by UV rays both from above and below. In fact, it is highly possible that up to 85 percent of the UV rays hitting your eyes come from below in the winter. This makes it particularly important for outdoor enthusiasts to wear a high quality and protective pair of sunglasses at all time.

Unprotected eye can get sunburnt. Not only is this painful, it can lead to irreversible damage. In addition, sun damage has been linked to age related eye disorders such as macular degeneration and cataracts, making it important for your long-term visual health that you wear sunglasses at all times when you are outdoors.

If you would like more information on keeping your eyes as healthy as possible, please use the doctor locator at eyes.com to find an experienced ophthalmologist in your area today.

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Why Sunglasses Matter

Monday, October 24th, 2011

Posted in Cataracts, Eyes and Sun Damage, Macular Degeneration | Comments Off

Protecting Your Eyes From Sun Damage

Thursday, May 26th, 2011

With summer well on its way and many of us already enjoying warmer, brighter days, it’s easy to forget about the considerable amount of damage the sun can do to our eyes.

Most people take steps to protect their skin from the dangers of UV rays, but your eyes are also at risk of serious long-term damage if they are not adequately protected. UV rays and blue light rays can be dangerous even in the wintertime, but in summer, their harmful effects are three times greater. Exposure to these rays can lead to cataracts, photokeratitis (sunburn of the cornea), macular degeneration, and other harmful conditions later in life.

Eye damage caused by the sun will build up over the course of your life. The more you expose your eyes to direct sunlight, the more likely you are to develop permanent damage. While sunglasses are still the best way to protect your eyes, you need to be sure you have sunglasses that provide equal protection from both UV and blue light rays. Sunglasses with large lenses that fit close to your eyes also provide better protection for the area surrounding your eyes, which can be prone to skin cancer.

If you are looking for ways to improve or protect your vision, schedule an appointment with an optometrist or ophthalmologist today by visiting our Eye Doctor Directory.

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Here Comes the Sun; Protect Your Eyes from It

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”—Benjamin Franklin

“Don’t look directly into the sun.”—Mom

When it comes to protecting yourself from the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light, don’t overlook your eyes.

With summer comes increased time outdoors and extra attention to sunscreen. But UV radiation can be as damaging to your eyes as it is to your skin.

The short-term effects of UV exposure can include photokeratitis, essentially sunburn on your cornea. Although the condition typically subsides on its own, it can be painful. And your mom was right: Staring directly into the sun—even for a brief period—can cause retinal damage.

Progressive exposure to UV light can contribute to additional conditions, including:

Cataracts
Macular degeneration
Pterygia, a fibrous tissue growth that can spread to the cornea and affect vision
Pingueculae, a yellowish lesion that forms near the edge of your cornea

Because there is no treatment to reverse the effects of macular degeneration and cataracts correction requires surgery, prevention is the best remedy for sun-related eye damage. One of the best sources of eye protection is a good pair of sunglasses.

Sunglasses don’t have to be expensive to be effective. The two most important factors to consider when choosing sunglasses are:

The level of UV protection
Aesthetics (you want to buy sunglasses you’ll actually wear)

The most harmful ranges of UV light to the eyes are ultraviolet A (UVA), also known as long wave, and ultraviolet B (UVB), also known as medium wave. Your sunglasses should block at least 98 percent of both UVA and UVB rays, as well as blue light, visible light waves that contribute to glare. Most sunglasses feature a sticker or tag listing the range of protection.

If you have more questions about the sun’s damaging effects to the eyes or need to schedule an eye exam, please contact an ophthalmologist near you.

Posted in Cataracts, Eye Safety, Eyes and Sun Damage, Macular Degeneration | Comments Off

Eye Safety

Monday, January 24th, 2011

The health of your eyes is just as important as the health of any other part of your body, and your eyes are especially vulnerable to injury. This makes eye safety an important concern for everyone. As Dr. Andrew Iwach, spokesperson for the American Academy of Opthamology (AAO) says, “Eyes are delicate and precious… Just a touch of maintenance will keep them going for years.”

Tips to Protect Your Eyes

Your eyes are one of the most important, and sensitive, parts of your body. There are many things you can do to keep your eyes healthy and make sure you really are seeing the world around you. Taking the following measures to protect your eyes can help prolong the health of your eyes so both you and your eyes sustain less strain:

· Wear sunglasses in sports or leisure activities outside – make sure your sunglasses have a 100 percent UV protective coating

· Avoid hazardous lighting – even when you are wearing sunglasses, the sun’s rays can still inflict long-term damage to your eyes. Never stare directly into the sun

· Gently wash your eyes – the skin around your eyes is some of the most delicate on your body. To prevent wrinkles, avoid pulling or scrubbing your skin when washing your eyes or removing makeup.

· Combat eye strain from screens – whether your watching television, working on your computer or reading from an eReader, take frequent breaks, about every 20-30 minutes to avoid eye strain and long-term damage

· Visit your eye doctor regularly – many people visit the eye doctor only when they have difficulty seeing, but your eye doctor can also make sure your eyes stay healthy to prevent future problems. If your family has a history of eye disease, it is especially important to have regular eye check ups.

To learn more about eye safety and tips to teach your family, please consult our Eye Doctor Directory to schedule an appointment with an optometrist or ophthalmologist in your area today.

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Protecting your Eyes from the Winter Sun

Thursday, November 18th, 2010

Winter is rapidly approaching, and in many parts of the country, there will be months of gray skies to look forward to. While the winter months do not bring the intense sunshine experienced during the summer, it is important to remember that your eyes can still suffer considerable sun damage during this time of the year. Therefore, it is important to take the proper steps to protect your eyes from the sun – even as you bundle up during the cold weather.

It is still possible for UV and blue light rays to damage your eyes on overcast days. Exposure to these dangerous rays can increase your risk of developing:

Cataracts
Age-related macular degeneration
Pterygia – tissue growths on the whites of your eyes
Skin cancer near the eyes
Photokeratitis – sunburned corneas

In order to prevent this damage to your eyes, you should continue wearing sunglasses throughout the winter months, even when it seems gray and dreary outside. It is important to remember that not all sunglasses are created equal. To protect your eyes, you should purchase sunglasses that:

Block 99-100% of UVA and UVB rays
Block blue light rays
Contain large lenses that rest close to your eyes

While the cheap glasses at your local store may prevent you from squinting, they do not always offer the best protection for your eyes. By investing in a more expensive pair of sunglasses, you can greatly reduce your exposure to the harmful radiation that can cause serious eye damage down the road.

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