Protect Your Eyes Year-Round From Harmful UV Rays

Don’t forget to protect your eyes from the sun this summer. UV rays can increase the risk of AMD and cataracts.

Some wear sunglasses to look stylish and cool. Celebrities wear them to thwart the attention of paparazzi. Baseball players use them to keep their eyes on the ball and not the sun’s glare. Poker players wear them to conceal their eyes from the competition. We often forget the primary purpose of sunglasses is really to protect your eyes.

One of the greatest threats to your eye health, the sun, is all around you. Studies show that exposure to sunlight and its UV rays may increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and growths on the eye, including cancer.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects as many as 10 million people and is the leading cause of severe vision loss in Americans ages 50 and older. AMD is a permanent condition involving damage to the central part of the retina, the lining at the back of the eye that is crucial to vision.

This results in severe vision loss that makes activities such as reading, driving, and watching television extremely difficult. Though there is no cure for AMD, modifying risks such as protecting your eyes from the sunlight, improving your diet and avoiding smoking can delay the onset of the disease.

Proper Eye Protection
July is UV Safety Awareness Month and what better time to celebrate your eye health than the start of the summer! While you already know the sun is harmful to your skin and causes cancer, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), through its EyeSmart program, warns of the importance of shielding your eyes by wearing proper eye protection.

Intense or prolonged exposure to UV radiation is one of the risk factors for macular degeneration. The longer the exposure to the bright light, the greater the risk. Driving to and from work, walking the dog, or mowing the lawn are everyday activities, but with prolonged daily exposure, they can lead to harmful effects. Excessive exposure to UV light reflected off sand, water or pavement can damage the eyes’ front surface. In addition to AMD and cataracts, sun exposure can lead to lesions and tumors.

To learn more about additional preventative treatments of AMD visit http://www.visivite.com/visivite.html.

American Academy of Ophthalmology Tips for Purchasing Sunglasses

• Don’t be fooled by the color or darkness of sunglasses – select them based upon their UV protection. Color and protection are not equivalent.
• Purchase sunglasses that absorb at least 97 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays.
• Choose wrap-around sunglasses to block sun from entering from the sides.
• Don’t be fooled by clouds - UV rays can pass through clouds and damage the eyes year-round.
• Protect your eyes during peak sun times; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and during the months of May through August.
• Wear sunglasses anytime you’re outside.
• Never look directly into the sun.