Eyes And Sun Damage Article

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Eyes and Sun Damage

Excess sun exposure can also damage your eyes. Those same harmful rays that damage skin can also increase your chances of developing eye problems, such as cataracts.

Author: Paula Blackburn

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Overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation can negatively affect more than just your skin.

People who spend long hours in the sun and snow without adequately protecting their eyes can develop photokeratitis, reversible sunburn of the cornea. This condition can lead to temporary loss of vision.

Worst Times for Eye Damage
Everyone is at risk of eye damage from the sun year-round, though that risk is greatest from 10am to around 4pm. Those that spend extended amounts of time in the sun, like farmers, fishermen and beach-goers are at highest risk.

Common Ways to Eclipse the Sun and Protect Your Eyes
The most common way to protect your eyes from the sun’s damaging rays is with sunglasses that have UV protection. UV radiation from sunlight is divided into UVA (wavelength 320 to 400 nm) and UVB (wavelength 290 to 320nm). Your sunglasses should block both forms of UV. While you may think that you get more protection from pricey sunglasses or those with a darker tint, you would be wrong. Labels that specifically state that the glasses offer 99 to 100 percent UW protection are what you need. You can also check with your eye doctor to test your sunglasses if you are unsure of their protection. Other ways to protect your eyes are:

• Wear a broad-brimmed hat
• Beware of snow, sand and concrete – these brighter areas allow the sun’s rays to bounce of the surface and right back at you
• Regularly check the UV index for your area – get in the habit of checking the UV index for your area at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website

Choosing a Sunglass Tint that Saves the Eyes
If you have chosen the darkest tinted sunglasses in hopes of protecting your eyes, you should rethink your strategy. Sunglasses should be dark enough to reduce glare, but not so dark that they distort colors. For best color perception and UV protection, you should look for sunglasses that are:

•Neutral gray
• Amber
• Brown
• Green

Those who wear contact lenses with UV protection also need to wear sunglasses.

Protection Around the Eyes
Before you hit 30, most of the sun’s damage has already been done. The crow’s feet you see around your eyes come from more than just smiling, squinting, sleeping on your face or aging; they are also due to sun damage. For wrinkle-free eyes, you should always choose a lotion for your face with a high SPF rating for UVB protection. However, to shield you from the wrinkle-causing UVA rays, you should also check the label for zinc, titanium or avobenzone.

About Author

To learn more about how to correct the sun’s damage to your eyes, or around your eyes, please visit the website of the Laser Eye Center of Silicon Valley; Dr. Gary Kawesch is one of the leading ophthalmologists in the Bay area.

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Eyes and Sun Damage