July is UV Safety Month! According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, studies show that long-term exposure to UV rays from the sun without protection can increase the risk of eye damage and disease.
This month, we’ll take a look at some of the eye conditions that you can prevent simply by wearing sunglasses with UV protection.
Consequences of UV Exposure
Cataracts
Cataracts are when the lens of your eye starts to get cloudy. If you have noticed your vision getting cloudier or blurrier, you may be developing a cataract. There are a few different types that may develop in your eye; the most common form is a nuclear cataract, which forms in the center of the lens. You may notice nearsightedness at first, and slowly the lens will turn yellower and cloudier.
Other types include:
Cortical cataracts, which usually begin as white-ish “streaks” forming near the outer edge of the lens and growing toward the center
Congenital cataracts, which are present at birth and can occur in a variety of configurations
Trauma-induced cataracts - these can form anywhere on the lens and often develop into a “flower-petal” shape
Posterior subcapsular cataracts develop at the back surface of the lens unlike other forms of cataracts. These tend to develop faster than other cataracts, so they are important to catch early.
Other symptoms of cataracts include poorer vision at night, colors appearing more faded, seeing a "halo" around lights, seeing double in one eye, lights start seeming too bright and uncomfortable, and/or needing increasingly brighter light to read. If the cataract starts to get in the way of everyday life, you may need surgery. Luckily, cataract surgery is the most effective and most common procedure performed in all of medicine, according to the AAO.
Growths
Too much UV exposure can lead to growths - one common type of which is called pterygium, often referred to as "surfer's eye." Pterygium shows up as raised, fleshy tissue on the eye's conjunctiva, the clear membrane covering the white part of your eye. Typically, it is a whiteish or pinkish color, with blood vessels sometimes visible. It may remain small, or grow from the edge of your eye towards your iris.
You may also experience other symptoms along with the growth, including:
dry/itchy eyes
a burning sensation
blurriness
conjunctiva swelling
The symptoms can be treated by a doctor with eye drops, but surgery is the only way to remove the growth. It will not go away on its own.
Photokeratitis
UV exposure can also lead to photokeratitis, which is a temporary but painful condition which affects the thin surface layer of the cornea. Photokeratitis often will go away in a few days, so it's a bit like sunburn for your eyes.
Symptoms include:
eye pain
redness
tearing
blurriness
increased sensitivity to bright light
headaches
Typically, the longer you are exposed to UV rays, the longer your symptoms will be. Photokeratitis will usually go away on its own after a few days. Some things you can do to potentially relieve pain/discomfort from symptoms are removing contact lenses, using eye drops, spending time in a dark room, putting a cool washcloth over your eyes, and refraining from rubbing your eyes.
Cancer
Like the rest of your body, excessive UV exposure can lead to a higher risk of skin cancer. The skin around your eyes is especially tender and thin, making it even more susceptible to damage. Wearing sunglasses can help prevent skin cancer near the eyes.
Preventing Damage
The best way to prevent these conditions is through 100% UV protection whenever you are outside - on cloudy or sunny days!
The sunglasses you see on racks at big box and retail stores typically aren’t protective enough - these pairs are usually just darkened. Look for a sticker indicating the 100% UV protection, or stop in to Bright Eyes to be sure you’re getting a truly protective pair.
Are you a fan of boating or water sports? There’s another benefit to shopping in store: you can add on polarization to your sunglasses! Polarized lenses have an anti-reflective coating, allowing you to reduce the glare from reflected sunlight on the water. Polarized lenses can block up to 98% of glare, in addition to protection from UV rays and increased clarity! Your vision will be more crisp and clear and you can focus more on enjoying the water.
Stop in today and check out our selection, and remember to encourage those around you to join you in protecting your eyes while outside!
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