Introduction: Why UV Eye Protection Matters
UV (ultraviolet) light is part of the radiation spectrum that is located before the blue spectrum of light. That means you can’t see UV light and that also means UV light contains more energy than the normal light we see on a day to day basis.
Where does UV light come from? Most commonly the Sun! Man made sources such as UV lamps such as curing lights and tanning beds. Because we are surrounded by UV constantly, it’s important to limit excessive exposure to promote good eye health
How UV Light Affects Your Eyes
Photokeratitis: “sunburned” eyes. The front tissue is temporarily damaged causing light sensitivity, redness, tearing and blurred vision
Cataracts: faster cloudy vision from UV light damaging the crystalline structure of the eye
Pingecula/Ptyergium: white/yellow raised growths on the white part of the eye.
Macular Degeneration: loss of central vision and color vision
Cancer: eyelid and areas surrounding the eyes are susceptible to developing tumors of various types and severity
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How to Protect Your Eyes from UV Damage
Sunglasses: make sure they state they block UV light. It being dark does not mean it blocks UV because UV light is “invisible”. Bigger is better
Glasses: elect for lenses that have UV protection. The lab can treat lenses to block UV light while maintaining clear lenses
Contact lenses: some contact manufacturers make the material itself UV blocking. Johnson & Johnson actually makes their lenses UV blocking. However, a contact lens only partially covers the eye, sunglasses and hats should still be used. The risk for pterygium increases because the contact lens doesn’t protect the white part of the eye
Hats: to cover the area surrounding the eye
Exposure limiting: avoid peak sun hours and being by artificial UV sources
Common Myths About UV Eye Protection
Cheap sunglasses won’t help with UV blocking. This is false, some are made with UV blocking treatments. Be sure to see if it’s labeled. If in doubt, it isn’t and look for a different pair.
Cloudy days means no risk for UV exposure. False, UV light penetrates many materials and it also is invisible. A cloudy sky gives a false sense of security because we don’t feel the heat or see the intensity of the sun.
Only light colored eyes should be concerned about UV, brown eye people don’t need to be. This is false, while a light colored eye will feel the light sensitivity more, UV light will penetrate all eye pigments. Light colored eyes should take maximum precautions but a brown eyed person doing the same would protect them just as much!
I have to wear sunglasses to block UV light but I wear glasses so I have no options. For prescription wearing people, UV coats can be applied onto a clear lens. Some people also get separate UV treated and tinted prescription sunglasses!
Good Habits for Long-Term Eye Health
Annual eye exams
Good nutrition, especially foods with antioxidants
Staying hydrated or using artificial tears
Wearing sun protection
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Conclusion: Take Action to Protect Your Vision
UV light is around us and while we don’t need to be paranoid about it, it helps to have some good habits to lower risks for future eye damage. Doing things to reduce sun exposure will only help protect your eye, the idea is to reduce the cumulative exposure. Grab a pair of UV blocking glasses/sunglasses and use them frequently.
If you are in the greater Houston area, we would be happy to evaluate your current eye status regarding UV damage. We also can make regular glasses UV blocking and prescription sunglasses! We mainly serve the Katy 77493, 77494, 77449, 77450 and 77094 areas but do have patients coming from Spring, Sugarland and inside the 610 loop!
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