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Richmond Eye Associates
Special Interest Sections
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Sun Protection for
the Eyes
The right pair of
sunglasses may go a long way toward protecting the eyes from damage caused
by ultraviolet light (UV) of the sun. Long term damage from UV light
leads to eye disorders such as cataract and age-related macular
degeneration, as well as ocular cancer such as conjunctival and eyelid
cancers. A corneal ultraviolet injury, similar to sunburn, can
happen on a very bright day, and can be very painful.
Some tips on protecting the eyes from short and long term exposure to the
sun include:
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Sunglasses should offer 90-100 percent protection for both
ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. The price of
sunglasses is not an indicator of their level of protection, but instead
may reflect better durability of frames, or better fashion.
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Sunglasses should cover the entire eye area, including the eyelids,
and should wrap all the way around to the temples. Full coverage
such as this prevents damaging rays from entering from the side.
Wraparound glasses may also reduce the drying effects of the wind.
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Wearing a wide-brimmed hat along with sunglasses will further block
rays from the sun. 50% of sunlight comes from directly overhead,
and may slip past sunglasses.
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The color of the lenses does not affect the level of protection.
Choosing a color such as gray, green, or brown that will not distort
color vision is a good idea.
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Anti-reflective coatings and polarizing filters help to decrease
glare, but polarization alone does not block UV light.
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UV coatings on contact lenses are important, but do not fully
protect the eyes. Contact lens wearers should additionally wear
sunglasses.
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Certain drugs may make the eyes more sensitive to light. Be
sure to read drug labels and take appropriate precautions.
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Children's eyes need to be protected, as they are more prone to sun
damage because their natural lenses are clearer.
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Wearing sunscreen on the face and around the eyes adds another layer
of protection against ultraviolet light.
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It is important to never look directly at the sun, or even to look
at reflections of the sun off of water, as this can directly damage the
retina.
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Intra-ocular lens implants after cataract surgery often include a
substantial ultraviolet filter. Nevertheless, sunglasses will
protect the parts of the eye not protected by the implants.
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