Guest blogger Marijke Vroomen Durning, RN, is a health writer in Montreal, Canada, who enjoys demystifying the medical world for readers. She also is actively involved in health awareness and is currently working with Sepsis Alliance to help raise awareness among the general public.
Over 20 million Americans 40 years old or older have at least one cataract – clouding of the eye lens, reports the National Eye Institute. Cataracts can lead to blindness if left untreated. It is estimated that this number will rise to over 30 million by 2020, as the American population ages. While not all cataracts are preventable, many could be delayed simply by protecting your eyes from UV rays from the sun. Sue E. Lowe, OD, FCOVD, FAAO, an optometrist at Snowy Range Vision Center in Laramie, Wyoming, says, “Cataracts generally begin in your early sixties, but sun and UV exposure speeds them up.”
UV exposure – both UV-A and UV-B – to the eyes could also result in other types of permanent eye damage and even fatal illnesses, such as:
* Photokeratitis (snow blindness)
* Pterygium, a thin layer of tissue that grows over the white of your eye
* Macular degeneration, loss of central vision
* Melanoma (cancer) of the eye
Sun damage to the eyes doesn’t appear right away, so protection doesn’t seem to be foremost in our minds, much like using sunscreens to avoid skin damage wasn’t until recently. But it is important to raise the alarm and make wearing sunglasses just as important as using sunscreen, because although cataracts are treatable, other eye problems such as macular degeneration are not.
Ultraviolet damage to the eyes can affect anyone, but some people are at higher risk than others to injury. They include people who have blond hair and blue eyes, as well as people who live or spend time in high altitude areas. Every 1000 feet of altitude on a mountain, increases UV exposure to your eyes by about 5 percent, says Dr. Lowe. If you add snow to the picture, the snow reflects the UV rays, increasing the exposure significantly.
The only way to prevent UV damage is to keep UV rays from reaching your eyes. “Wearing a hat decreases your exposure by 50 percent,” says Dr. Lowe. To eliminate the other half, you should wear UV-blocking shades whenever you are outside.
According to a survey by the American Optometric Association, only one-third of Americans feel that UV protection is an important feature when shopping for shades and another survey showed that although over 60 percent of adults do wear sunglasses, fewer than 30 percent of children wear them. As Dr. Lowe points out, children often spend much more time outside than do adults, making their eye protection just as important.
When looking for sunglasses, look for shades that will cover your eyes – wrap-around frames are the best because they prevent rays from sneaking in the sides. The label must say that the glasses block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B rays. If you already wear glasses, you could purchase prescription sunglasses and, according to Dr. Lowe, you shouldn’t have to worry about adequate protection. “The ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards require that prescription glasses provide 100 percent UV ray protection.
There are new types of contact lenses that have been developed and are showing promise at reducing UV ray exposure through the iris and pupil. However, exposure is still occurring to the whites of the eyes, so the wearing of sunglasses is likely to continue to be the best idea for maximum safety. So, before going outside, be sure to be prepared to protect not only your skin, but your eyes too.
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The earlier eye problems are caught, the better the chances for treatment. The National Cancer Institute describes the signs and symptoms of ocular (eye) melanoma and tests done for detection. The AMD Alliance International describes screening tests, including the self-administered Amsler Grid test, for macular degeneration. For more information about cataracts, this video describes symptoms and how cataracts are removed.
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