Protect Against UV Eye Injury

Using some common sense and precaution can go a long way to help you protect against UV eye injury and damage. May marks Ultraviolet (UV) Eye Protection Awareness Month, so Center for Sight wants to comment on the need for UV protective eyewear and precautions people should take. This time of year, increased exposure to the sun and ultraviolet or UV rays on a daily basis requires the use of proper UV eye protection. 

Some basic precautions to help you with UV eye protection include:

• Always wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Sunglasses without UV protection may shade the eyes but actually cause the pupils to dilate, allowing in even more harmful rays. 
• Wear a brimmed hat along with sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. 
• Choose wrap-around sunglasses to protect the eyes and the skin around the eyes. 
• Be aware that although some contact lenses may offer UV protection, they cannot protect the entire eye and the skin around it. 
• Choose sunglasses made of unbreakable polycarbonate, especially for children and for those who lead active lifestyles. 

Be sure to ask your doctor about the photosensitizing side effects of any medications that you might take.
Always wear eye protection when using a tanning bed. According the American Academy of Ophthalmology, tanning beds can produce UV levels up to 100 times more than the sun, which can cause serious damage to the external and internal structures of the eye and eyelids. 

Excessive and repetitive exposure to UV has been linked to many eye problems and in some instances is thought to quicken the onset of eye diseases such as cataracts, Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), certain cancers on the delicate skin around the eye, Pterygia-a growth of white tissue on the surface of the eye-and even Photokeratitis, a type of sunburn of the cornea.

At Center for Sight we offer wide range of UV protecting eyeglass lenses to choose from. Eye protection from UV needs to be complete but doesn’t have to be overly expensive. 

Patients visiting Center for Sight are invited speak with one of our Registered Dispensing Opticians who can provide proper counseling and fitting of UV protecting lenses and eyewear. These eye care professionals can offer a wide variety of UV blocking lenses, coatings and color changing lenses to keep you safe.

If you or someone you know has a question or concerns about ultraviolet (UV) eye damage and injury and how to select protective eyewear please feel free to call Center for Sight at 508-730-2020, visit http://www.center-for-sight.com or http://www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver to schedule an appointment.

Center for Sight is conveniently located at 1565 North Main Street, Suite 406 Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 at 508-730-2020 for patients wishing to learn more about LASIK in Massachusetts or Rhode Island.