How to Protect Your Vision in the Bright Summer Sun
- Posted on: Jul 14 2023
July is UV safety month, and our eye doctors at Pamel Vision & Laser Group want you and your family to remember UV (ultraviolet) protection goes beyond your skin. UV rays from the bright summer sun (and cloudy days) affect your eye health and damage internal structures.
Eye diseases and conditions, including cataracts, pterygium, and cancerous growths, can develop or worsen due to excessive sun exposure. Cumulative UV damage and oxidative stress can increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration, which has no cure and causes central vision loss. Even the thin skin of the eyelids is impacted by the sun and can experience dryness, premature wrinkles, and loss of elasticity.
Tips for Choosing UV-Protective Sunglasses
Sunglasses are key to protecting your eye health in the summer, and choosing the right pair goes far beyond fashion. You need 100% UV-blocking sunglasses to keep your eyes safe, but that might be trickier than you realize. UV blocking doesn’t mean choosing the most expensive or darkest shade of lenses. When shopping for sunglasses, look for a label or sticker confirming 100% UVA and UVB protection.
Look for a wrap-around style of sunglasses where the lenses or frame stretch to your temples. That design prevents the sun’s rays from causing damage through the side of the sunglasses. Some types of contact lenses provide UV protection, but you still need UV-protective sunglasses to keep your eyes safe.
When you plan to spend time in the sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat for further eye protection from UV light, and don’t forget that children and babies need sunglasses and hats too!
Sun Safety Facts to Keep in Mind
UV rays can pass through the haze of thin clouds, causing sun damage to your eyes and skin year-round. This exposure is particularly potent during peak hours of the day, around 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If possible, avoid direct sun exposure during those hours, especially for children.
Never look directly at the sun, even during an eclipse. Looking at the sun may cause solar retinopathy, which occurs when solar radiation damages the eye’s retina. Sunlight can bounce off snow and water and is more intense at higher altitudes.
Follow these UV safety precautions year-round and not just when you visit the beach.
Pamel Vision & Laser Group hopes you enjoy the summer sun during UV safety month. Schedule an eye exam with our eye doctors in Astoria and New York, New York, by calling (212) 355-2215.
Posted in: Eye Health
