Your eyes are an essential part of who you are. They allow you to convey an endless range of emotions and see all of the amazing parts of our world. When you think of the joy your eyes have brought you, it’s only natural to want to do everything in your power to protect them.
An important part of keeping your precious eyes safe is shielding them from the sun. Sun safety is important not just in the summer months but year round. Dr. Joshua Hann explains why in this post.
Why Are UV Rays Dangerous to the Eyes?
Exposure to UV rays — even short-term exposure — can be harmful to your eyes and vision.
UV exposure has been implicated as a risk factor for degenerative eye conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Although cataracts are largely attributed to age-related factors, research shows evidence that significant UV exposure can accelerate the progression of cataracts.
Another UV-related problem is pterygium, which is a growth that starts on the conjunctiva (the white of the eye). Nicknamed ”Surfer’s Eye,” pterygium can eventually enlarge so much that the cornea is affected and vision becomes blocked.
Of course, skin cancer is always a concern. Studies show that 5 to 10 percent of all cancers occur in the very delicate eyelid skin.
Furthermore, did you know that your eyes can get sunburned? A corneal sunburn is called photokeratitis, and it can be very painful and lead to vision loss.
Protect Your Eyes and Preserve Your Vision
The best thing you can do to protect your eyes and preserve your vision is to wear sunglasses every time you go outside (even when it is cloudy). Wraparound sunglass styles are optimal, as they prevent UV rays from entering your eyes from the sides. Your lenses should block out 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays.
Beyond basic UV protection, you have endless options in lens features. Dr. Hann and our team are your best resources for picking out the lenses that suit your needs. We can advise you of special tints that help you see clearly in certain conditions, and we can walk you through other features, such as anti-reflective coating and polarized lenses, which may also be of benefit to you. If you play sports, fish or enjoy other outdoor hobbies, we can point you in the direction of sunglass styles that are ideal for your particular activity.
Adding a wide-brimmed hat offers extra protection against UV rays. It limits the UV rays that can hit your eyes from above or around the sides of your sunglasses.
Contact Dr. Joshua Hann
For more information about protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays, contact Dr. Joshua Hann and the team at Eastside Eye Specialist Care today.