Fouad Melamed, OD Los Angeles Eye Doctor

Summer is just around the corner, which means it is time to think about UV protection for your eyes. The American public has gotten very good about applying sunscreen to protect skin against harmful UV rays. In fact we have gotten so good at protecting our skin that there is a real issue with Vitamin D deficiency. Our bodies synthesize Vitamin D from skin exposure to the sun.

However, we often neglect protecting our eyes from the bright rays of the sun. We should be wearing protective eyewear from the sun year around and summertime is a great reminder of that fact.  Those strong summer rays tend to make people more aware of the need for sunglasses. Now is the time to see your eye care professional and get a new pair of sun glasses.

Why is eye protection from the sun so important? Aside from seeing things better with polarizing lenses, why should you go to the trouble of making that appointment? First of all, it sunglasses help prevent facial wrinkles. There are also several conditions that have been strongly linked to eyes that are exposed to the sun without any protection.

Cataracts affect over 22 million Americans. Reducing the eyes exposure to the sun can help prevent cataract formation. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye that progress slowly. Left untreated blindness may be the end result. There are several treatments for cataracts, but the best cure is prevention.

The cornea of the eye can actually be sun burned. Just like a burn that occurs on the skin, this is very painful and can leave permanent damage. At the very least, this will make for a pretty miserable day or two. A pair of good fitting sunglasses with adequate tinting is the best prevention especially when paired with a wide brimmed hat.

The eye and the skin around the eye can also be damaged by the sun’s rays to the point that skin cancer develops. The most serious of these cancers is melanoma. This cancer can be deadly and is the one most associated with UV exposure. This serious condition needs to be treated immediately. Here is a link to help identify the warning sings of melanoma of the eye. 

Pterygium is another growth that affects the eyes. This condition is usually non-cancerous but can be severe enough to require treatment. The cause is not absolutely known, but there does seem to be a correlation between sun and wind exposure to the eye. Again, sunglasses will help prevent this condition with both sun protection and also as a wind block for the eyes.

There is also speculation the macular degeneration may be caused by excessive sun exposure. There are still studies that need to be done before the sun’s rays can be totally implicated, but until those studies are completed, erring on the side of caution seems prudent. Wear good eye protection is so important for so many reasons.

All sun glasses are not created equal. Sunglasses need to be big enough to protect the eyes from the UV light. Wide arms on the ear pieces will protect against list that spills around the sides of the glasses. Lenses need to have protective coating to protect against UVA/UVB rays. Also get sunglass lenses with UV 400 protection. This will protect against most UV rays.  Lastly, remember that sunglasses can not protect your eyes parked on the top of your head, or sitting on the car dash board. Did you know the early Ray-Ban Wayfarer was almost impossible to park on the top of the head? Sunglasses are a very effective way to protect the eyes from the sun’s rays. Get ‘em, wear’em, feel the protection from ‘em.

For more information on UV Protection for your eyes, get a consultation with a Los Angeles Eye Doctor.