Sunglasses Can Improve Sight For Sore Eyes—

Protection Against Ultraviolet Rays Often Overlooked

By Kendra Bobowick

Lions Club President Jon Christensen does not see any point in overlooking the gift of sight. As the local leader of the nation’s premier service organization dedicated to protecting and supporting sight-related causes, Mr Christensen believes caring for one’s sight should be among one’s top health-related concerns.

“To me, eyesight is obvious,” he said. Paying attention to vision needs to become part of preventative health measures, he explained, especially during May, which is Sight Saving Month and Healthy Vision Month.

“[An eye exam] is like any other physical you get,” Mr Christensen said. “You get your teeth checked, you have a regular physical, so why don’t we get checkups on our eyes?”

The approaching summer season will bring local residents outdoors for extended periods of time, whether it’s working around the yard, or out and about at events or on vacation. However, these extended periods of exposure to heightened ultraviolet rays from the sun can leave one’s sight susceptible to damage, according to Middlebury-based Prevent Blindness Tri-State which incorporates New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

“Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause burns to the eye’s surface,” the organization’s bulletin and website explains. “Ultraviolet radiation can play a role in the development of various ocular disorders including age-related cataract, pterygium, cancer of the skin around the eye, photokeratitis and corneal degenerative changes, and may contribute to age-related macular degeneration.”

Fortunately, adults and children can easily protect their eyes by obtaining a set of UV protective sunglasses, which Newtown Optometrist Dr Roger Moore advises.

“You should be wearing something to protect your eyes, like a hat or glasses,” he said.

Dr Moore explained that UV harm can be done without warning.

“It has no [warning] signs and it’s cumulative,” he said. He also offers the grim realities of possible ultraviolet affects.

“It’s known to cause long-term damage and to contribute to cataracts,” Dr Moore said. “It’s also thought to contribute to macular degeneration.”

Mr Christensen also believes that UV rays can take a toll that is virtually unnoticed.

“This can sneak up on you gradually,” and the problem grows worse as the UV damage goes undetected. “You learn to adjust and adjust and you don’t realize you are compensating,” he said.

As the season for water sports gets underway with the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, Dr Moore noted additional UV dangers increasing.

“The highest exposures are for fishers and boaters who are on the water,” he said.

Reflections hit the eye and compound damage, he explained. Winter months, however, offer little reprieve from taking safety precautions if folks continue spending a great deal of time outdoors.

“Snow reflection is just as bad,” he said.

He believes the losses accompanying failed eyesight are daunting. “You lose your independence,” he said. “Driving is one of them.”

Other every-day tasks such as cooking can present problems, he said. “You might have trouble reading the numbers on the stove,” Mr Christensen said.

Following his train of thought he leads to a worst case scenario, saying, “Just plain negotiating around the house or community might also tend to — for some — keep them away from social contact and that’s not good.”

Offering another example he said, “If you can’t see you can’t dress well, and that may keep you indoors.”

Help is as close as the nearest eye care professional. Dr Moore said his office, like others, has information about UV protection.

“We try to inform our patients about it,” he said. Aside from the hats or sunglasses, some contact lenses carry UV protection. Also, the eyes do not need to be covered with dark shades. Clear lenses will also work.

“UV [protection] has no color to it and you can [protect yourself with] clear lenses.”

He recommends visiting AOA.org for the American Optometric Association’s advice and information about UV protection.

Who Is At Risk?

A Prevent Blindness Tri-State fact sheet indicates adults at a higher risk for eye problems caused by UV rays are those that spend a large amount of time in the sun, whether for work or recreation. Also, people who have had cataract surgery or other retinal disorders, and people who take certain medicines, such as tetracycline, sulfa drugs, birth control pills, diuretics, and tranquilizers, are also at special risk.

Children are more susceptible to UV damage than adults because they tend to spend more time outside than adults. Prevent Blindness Tri-State encourages parents to help protect their children’s eyes by doing the following:

Only purchase sunglasses that offer UV protection, and make sure the sunglasses fit the child’s face and shield the eyes from all angles.

Choose lenses that are impact resistant and made of polycarbonate, never glass, unless prescribed by a doctor. And to further enhance their protection, always insist that children wear a brimmed hat in conjunction with their sunglasses.

Prevent Blindness Tri-State is an affiliate of the national Prevent Blindness America volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness Tri-State touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, community and patient service programs, and research.

Together with a network of affiliates, divisions, and chapters, as well as Connecticut Lions Clubs, PBTS is committed to eliminating preventable blindness locally and across America.

For more information on the dangers of UV exposure, on how to choose the best sunglasses for adults and children or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 800-850-2020 or visit www.preventblindnessct.org.