Ways to Protect Your Eyes From Harmful UV Rays

As the weather gets warmer, we're seeing more sun -- but that's not necessarily a good thing when it comes to our vision. We're putting on the sunscreen to protect our skin, but how are we keeping our eyes safe? The Lens Men - Compass Point optometrist Mabel Ching tells us how.

June 4, 2008 — There's not a day that goes by that we aren't exposing our eyes to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, but we may not realise it because UV rays are invisible. This makes it even more important to understand the harmful effects of UV rays on our eyes, as damage caused can be cumulative, increasing each time your eyes are exposed.

Exposure to UV rays causes a condition called photokeratitis, in which the superficial layers of our eyes get 'burnt,' leading to light-induced corneal inflammation. Other common eye damages as a result of explosure are pinguecula and pterygium, characterised by yellowish benign growths on the whites of our eyes. In the long-term, light-induced eye ailments can lead to serious conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration, which may lead to eventual blindness if left untreated.

If you exhibit these symptoms or your eyes have been exposed to sunlight excessively, please make an appointment with any of The Lens Men or The Eye Site optometrists and we'll be more than happy to check your eyes for any signs of damage. This is especially true for children, who generally spend more time outdoors than adults and whose developing eyes are three times more vulnerable to sun damage.

In addition, the glare from sunlight also affects the quality of vision, which can be distracting and cause eye strain and fatigue. In extreme cases, glare can even cause temporary blindness. This can also be particularly dangerous at times when optimum visual clarity is vital, such as for those who operate heavy machinery or are on the road.

Although eye diseases, when detected early, can often be treated successfully, we cannot stress enough the importance of prevention rather than cure, particularly when your vision is concerned. The following are simple yet important steps we can take to minimise UV damage to our eyes:

- Stay indoors when UV levels are at the most intense, such as mid-day and early afternoon.
- Wear a cap or hat when outdoors to prevent sunlight from entering your eyes directly.
- Wear protective eyewear that books 100% of UV rays, such as sunglasses with polarised lenses or Transitions lenses for spectacle wearers. Polaroid and Oakley are examples of sunglasses brands who produce highly-advanced lenses that you can trust to get the job done.

Transitions lenses are a convenient way to ensure that you'll never leave your eyes naked to UV rays and the sun's glare on the days that you're wearing your glasses. Instead of fumbling for a clip-on or switching to sunglasses with prescription lenses, Transitions lenses automatically darken when exposed to UV light outdoors, providing visual comfort and reducing glare while also completing blocking out harmful UV rays. Clear indoors and at night, Transitions lenses adjust their level of tint per changing light conditions outdoors, ensureing the highest visual quality at any moment. Available in grey or brown tints, Transitions lenses are compatible with virtually any frame designs and available in most configurations, from normal plastic and impact-resistant materials to single-vision and progress lenses.

To see how they work, come check out Transitions lenses at any of The Lens Men and The Eye Site stores, and we'll be happy to explain in greater detail. In the meantime, keep those sunglasses and hats on!

By Mabel Ching, The Lens Men - Compass Point