Each May we mark national Ultraviolet (UV) Eye Protection Awareness
Month and we remind patients of the need to wear proper UV protective eyewear
and use some common sense precautions to avoid the harmful effects of UV that
result in eye injury.
Outdoor Activities Mean Greater UV Exposure
While the summer months are a great time to be outdoors-walking, running,
hiking, swimming-going to the beach and just enjoying our community, it also
means you will likely have greater exposure to the sun and ultraviolet or UV
rays on a daily basis, and thus need to use proper UV eye protection by wearing
sunglasses or UV protecting eyewear. This is particularly important if you have
had previous eye surgery such as LASIK or cataract surgery as LASIK patients
and cataract surgery patients with advanced technology lens implants typically
no longer need to wear eyeglasses after their surgery-and they often just
forget about the need for UV protection.
We want them to remember! We want to make sure eye surgery
and other patients avoid is the risk of “sun burnt eyes” or photokeratitis, which
is also called ultraviolet keratitis. This can be quite uncomfortable and even
be sight threatening.
Day to Day UV Exposure Risk
The risk of sun and UV damage to your eyes can occur over the long term
on a cumulative basis or can occur in a more acute manner. Most people don’t
realize that the risk of UV eye damage can literally change from day to day
with the weather, the cloud cover and your physical location. Sunny days at the
beach are certainly riskier than cloudy days and thus you may need to adjust
the time you spend in the sun along with being particularly cautious about
wearing properly selected and fit sunglasses at that time.
Because of the day to day variation in UV exposure, patients are encouraged to check their UV exposure risk by visiting the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SunWise information page where they can see their individual UV Index or even downloading the UV Index free mobile app, each of which will help you to be more aware and safe.
Common Sense UV
protection Tips & Precautions
- Always wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Sunglasses without UV protection may shade the eyes but actually cause the pupils to dilate, allowing in even more harmful rays.
- Wear a brimmed hat along with sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
- Choose wrap-around sunglasses to protect the eyes and the skin around the eyes.
- Be aware that although some contact lenses may offer UV protection, they cannot protect the entire eye and the skin around it.
- Choose sunglasses made of unbreakable polycarbonate, especially for children and for those who lead active lifestyles.
- Be sure to ask your doctor about the photosensitizing side effects of any medications that you might take.
- Always wear eye protection when using a tanning bed. According the American Academy of Ophthalmology, tanning beds can produce UV levels up to 100 times more than the sun, which can cause serious damage to the external and internal structures of the eye and eyelids.
If you or someone you know has a question about selection and
fitting of UV blocking lenses, coatings, color changing lenses such as
Transitions® or any type of sunglasses or eyewear, please
call The Eye Care & Surgery Center at
908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care &
Surgery Center or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an
appointment.
