Protecting eyes from UV rays important
Tue, May 13, 2008
When it comes to protecting vision, don't skimp on eyewearBy MICHAEL JAMES ROCHACopley News Service Summer's almost here, and it's not just your skin that needs attention. Your eyes deserve some TLC, too. Limited doses of sunshine are good for you – 10 to 15 minutes, twice a week is healthy, according to the National Institutes of Health – but prolonged exposure, especially to harmful UV rays, is not good for your skin or your eyes.But let's face it, when you're in the market for a pair of shades, you're often choosing based on style instead of safety."People want what the celebrities are wearing," says Stacy Pehau, a certified optician in San Diego. "They want fashion, not protection."
Style at what price, though?Prolonged unprotected exposure to the sun poses great danger to the cornea and increases the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and benign growths on the eye's surface known as pterygium, according to Dr. Kerry L. Beebe, an optometrist and chair of the American Optometric Association's clinical–care committee."If you are exposed to a lot of UV rays and you don't have sunglasses, you can have an immediate UV burn of your cornea, much like a welder's burn essentially," Beebe says, referring to photokeratitis, which is a temporary but painful sunburn of the eye's surface.
"The other thing that people don't think about is skin cancer when it pertains to the eyelid," says the Brainerd, Minn.-based optometrist. "Skin cancer is fairly common on the eyelid and the tissue around the eyes, so ample protection is equally important for that reason."Who can argue with a laundry list like that?"Those $5 sunglasses you buy at the drugstore might be convenient," Pehau says, "but they don't give you the kind of eye protection you need. They have the dark tint but not the UV protection you're looking for."That's not to say that affordable sunglasses – say, $20 ones – won't protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Price isn't really a good criteria to use when determining sunglass safety, according to the American Optometric Association. It's best to buy sunglasses from your eyecare professional or from stores that specialize in sunglasses. If you do purchase a pair and aren't sure of its protective properties, take it to your eye doctor to have the lenses' UV–protection rating measured. Sunglasses should block out 99 percent to 100 percent of UV rays.****Eye–safety tipsCopley News Service* Wear protective eyewear any time your eyes are exposed to UV light, even on cloudy days.* Look for quality sunglasses that offer good protection. Sunglasses should block out 99 percent to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays and screen out 75 percent to 90 percent of visible light. There are three types of UV rays: A, B and C. UVC rays are harmless because they don't penetrate the atmosphere. UVB is what causes skin to burn, and it's long been known to be a major carcinogen. UVA does not burn the skin but tans it, it speeds up the aging process and has recently been identified as a contributing cause of skin cancer.* Labels touting UV protection are not regulated by the federal government, so it's best to consult your optometrist when buying sunglasses or purchase from a store specializes in sunglasses.* Check to make sure your sunglass lenses are perfectly matched in color and free of distortion and scratches. Any imperfections can let harmful rays through.* If you're looking to reduce glare, choose sunglasses with polarized lenses. For activities such as driving or boating, polarized lenses are a good choice to combat glare.* For impact protection, choose polycarbonate lenses. They are the most impact–resistant lenses you can buy, so they're perfect for people who want sunglasses while playing sports.* For added protection from bright light and UV radiation, opt for wraparound frames.* Don't forget protection for children and teenagers. They typically spend more time in the sun than adults.– Copley News Service
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