Getting the
right amount of UV light is important. Too much UV light exposure raises the
risks of eye diseases, including cataract, growths on the eye, and cancer. Strong exposure to snow reflection can also
quickly cause painful damage called snow blindness and direct exposure to the sun can cause “solar
retinitis” or really a retina sunburn!
Growths on the
eye, such as pterygium, can show up in our teens or twenties, especially
in surfers, skiers, fishermen, farmers, or anyone who spends long hours under
the mid-day sun or in the UV-intense conditions found near rivers, oceans, and
mountains.
Diseases like
cataract and eye cancers can take many years to develop, but each time we're
out in the sun without protection we could be adding cumulative damage that
adds to our risks for these serious disorders. Babies and kids need to wear
hats and sunglasses for this very reason. People of all ages should take
precautions whenever they are outdoors.
As we sleep,
our eyes enjoy continuous lubrication. During sleep the eyes also clear out
irritants such as dust, allergens or smoke that may have accumulated during the
day. Some research suggests that light-sensitive cells in the eye
are important to our ability to regulate wake-sleep cycles. This may be more critical
as we age, when more people have problems with insomnia. While it's
important that we protect our eyes from overexposure to UV light, our eyes also
need minimal exposure to natural light every day to help maintain normal
sleep-wake cycles.
Follow these
tips to protect your eyes from the sun all year long:
- Sun damage
to eyes can occur anytime during the year, not just in the summertime, so be sure to wear UV-blocking sunglasses and
broad-brimmed hats whenever you're outside.
- Don't be
fooled by clouds: the sun's rays can pass through haze and thin clouds.
- Never look
directly at the sun. Looking directly at the sun at any time, including
during an eclipse, can lead to solar retinopathy, which is
damage to the eye's retina from solar radiation.
- Don't forget the kids and older family members: everyone is at risk,
including children and senior citizens. Protect their eyes with hats and
sunglasses.
- Get a moderate amount of UV light for a good night's sleep
To learn more about your specific lifestyle and
risks, as well as UV eye protection, please discuss your questions with our eye
doctors when you schedule an eye exam at Center for Sight 508-730-2020,
visit Center for Sight, or 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 for patients from
Massachusetts or Rhode Island.
