Importance of UV Protection for Your Eyes

Importance of UV Protection for Your Eyes

Scientific studies show that sunlight contains UVB and UVA rays that penetrate your eyes. Prolonged exposure to these types of radiation can yield devastating results on your vision and eye structure. Yet, even with the constant reminders of eye care providers, many people still neglect to protect their eyes from ultraviolet (UV) rays. To remind you of how important UV protection is, here are some crucial points to remember.

 

Wards Off Skin Cancer

Johns Hopkins Medicine states that the thinnest skin on your body is the skin that covers and surrounds your eyes. Excessive exposure to the sun damages the skin around your eyes. UV rays cause wrinkles, deep skin furrows, dryness, pigmentation, sagging, and loss of elasticity. They are also associated with the development of basal cell carcinomas, cutaneous melanoma, and squamous cell carcinomas. Squamous cell carcinoma can also occur in the cornea, conjunctiva, and even the inner parts of the eye.
 

More research substantiates that your face absorbs 99 percent of the UV radiation you get when you’re out in the sun. By wearing proper UV protection, you can protect the skin that surrounds your eyes and the entire skin that covers your face and neck.

 

Prevents Damage to Your Internal Eye Structures

Ultraviolet light damages almost every structure in your eyes. With proper UV protection, you can prevent short-term and long-term eye damage.
 

To prevent short-term eye damage like photokeratitis, wear UV protective sunglasses when you go skiing or when you are near bodies of water. The UV rays can bounce off these reflective surfaces straight into your eyes. Also, remember not to stare at the sun, even if you have sunglasses or camera filters. They only dilate your eyes more so you can look at the sun without feeling any pain.
 

To prevent long-term eye damage like cataracts, tumors, or corneal sunburn, it is best to always wear UV-blocking sunglasses each time you go out. Take note that long-term eye damage doesn’t show until you reach 50 years old or older. When long-term eye damage takes hold, you can lose your vision.
 

You should avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when sunlight is most intense. Wearing UV protective sunglasses, coated contact lenses, and a wide-brimmed hat can help shield your eyes from UV rays if you have to step out in intense sunlight.

 

Alleviates Oxidative Stress

The National Eye Institute (NEI) helped fund a study about how chronic exposure to UV rays contributes to oxidative stress. Researchers define oxidative stress as harmful chemical reactions that happen when your cells use up fuels, such as oxygen, to manufacture energy. This process is the main factor in the normal aging process and certain age-related eye conditions like cataracts. The NEI study also establishes that exposure to UV rays increases your risk of developing cataracts.



 

Protecting your eyes from UV rays is essential to maintain your vision and overall health. Here at Auglaize Family Eye Care, we are always ready to provide high-quality UV protective eyewear. We believe that you deserve only the most effective UV eye protection you can get. Please call us at 419-775-4300 if you want to schedule an appointment or make an inquiry. You can also visit our clinic in Wapakoneta, Ohio, for a one-on-one consultation.