Are you protecting your eyes?
Most people know that exposure to the sun, especially at the height of summer, can damage their skin. But, extended exposure to the same harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that can affect skin, no matter what time of year, can also increase the risk of developing eye problems later in life.
“Our sight is very precious and we should do all we can to try and keep our eyes as healthy as possible” says Daska Barnett Bsc (Hons) MCOptom, Optometrist at Specs of Kensington.
“Extended exposure to harmful UV rays increases the risk of developing cataracts and may contribute to age-related macular degeneration – two leading causes of reduced vision in people over the age of 55. These conditions may not manifest for years, at which point the damage is already done and it is too late to reverse the effects of the sun. People are aware of the dangers but are not taking enough preventative action to help protect their eyes.”
Taking steps to protect your eyes is as important as applying sunscreen to protect your skin, according to Daska. When it comes to helping to protect your eyes from the sun, she advises, look for wrap-around sunglasses that absorb at least 99 to 100 per cent of both UVB and UVA rays. For those who need vision correction, Daska strongly recommends UV-blocking contact lenses because they provide an important measure of additional protection.
“Many people assume that wearing sunglasses with UV-blocking lenses will provide adequate protection. However, most frame styles do not prevent rays from reaching eyes through the sides, top, and bottom of the glasses,” she says. “Hats with brims offer no protection from UV rays reflected up from surfaces such as pavement, sand, and water. Contact lenses with UV blocking agents offer additional protection, in particular in instances when sunglasses are not always worn. They help protect the eye from peripheral and reflected rays not blocked by sunglasses and hats.”
“Not all contact lenses offer UV protection and, in fact, most do not,” cautions Daska “Of those that do, not all provide similar absorption levels, so it’s important that you talk with your eye care professional about contact lenses that offer the highest levels of protection.”
To better understand the potential damage that UV can cause to your eyes and vision, along with steps you can take to minimize UV exposure for yourself and your family, ACUVUE® is offering a free educational resource, “UV and its Effect on Your Eyes,” which can be viewed or downloaded at www.acuvue.co.uk/uvprotection .