Protect Eyes From the Sun Year-Round

The eyes, like skin, need protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. While eyes need to be protected from these rays year-round, wearing sunglasses is especially important during warm weather when more time is spent outdoors.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) warns outdoor enthusiasts about photokeratitis — an eye condition much like sunburn to the skin. The symptoms cause the eyes to redden, tear excessively and feel an uncomfortable sensation like something is in the eye. Photokeratitis is temporary and rarely causes permanent damage.

Long-term sun exposure can, however, cause more serious damage. Exposing eyes to the sun in small amounts over a period of years increases the chances of developing cataracts and damages the retina. These conditions are irreversible.

It is especially important for children, who spend much of their summer vacation outdoors, to wear eye protection. Even the very young should have eye protection when outdoors.

Sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat or cap are excellent prescriptions for protecting eyes while soaking up the sunshine. The AOA recommends that to be effective, sunglasses must "block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation; screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light; be perfectly matched in color and free of distortion and imperfection. Neutral gray lenses are the best for maintaining color perception." Consumers should look for lenses that have met the AOA Seal of Acceptance for Ultraviolet Absorbers/ Blockers, providing substantial protection of the eye from naturally occurring environmental UV radiation.

For more information, log onto www.aoa.org and click on Clinical Care Center and Ophthalmic standards. The sun doesn’t have to take the fun out of summer — just make sure your eyes and skin stay protected.