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Protecting
Your Eyes From The Summer Sun
New York, N.Y. (June 2002) -- The sun provides enjoyment,
but over-exposure can damage your skin and
your eyes.
The harm
to your eyes comes from the ultraviolet (UV) light of the sun which can
trigger a host of ophthalmic maladies: cataracts, macular degeneration,
corneal burns, benign growths, solar retinopathy and eye cancer.
"The best way to prevent these problems is to wear sunglasses with
100 percent UV protection," says Paul T. Finger, M.D., director of Ocular
Tumor Services at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. "Think of sunglasses as sun
block for your eyes." ®
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Who's
Most Vulnerable to The Dangers of Sunlight?
"People who work
outdoors, have blue eyes or take certain drugs are especially vulnerable to
eye damage from sunlight," says Dr. Finger.
"So is anyone who takes a vacation day at the beach, or goes
sailing or skiing, because the reflective glare of sand, water or snow
magnifies sun exposure."
Here are a few outdoor job categories that create the greatest risk.
Construction workers, gardeners, truck drivers, pilots, park rangers,
lifeguards, fishermen, police officers, couriers, farmers, and ski instructors
-- all top the charts for sun exposure -- and should don a hat, as well as
sunglasses.
"Certain drugs also
increase UV toxicity," said Dr. Finger. "Patients
who take chlorothiazides, sulfonamides, tetracycline, phenothiazines,
psoralens, and allopurinol should be extra cautious about sunlight."
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Types
of Sunglasses to Reduce UV and Glare
No one
color of sunglasses (gray, brown, green or yellow) is better than any other in
blocking the damaging rays of the sun. The
key feature to look for in all sunglasses is that
they have 100 percent UV protection. Most
optical shops have a machine called a photometer that can measure UV
transmission, so have your glasses checked.
"Most
brands of sunglasses sold in the United States
today have 100 percent UV protection, but some knock-off brands may not,"
said Dr. Finger. "Most all cataract
implants, called IOL's, contain UV blocking agents and can block UV
light," he added.
Two additional tips about
sunglasses: (1) Persons who have
color vision problems may want to select gray glasses, especially for driving
and (2) Polarizers and antireflective coatings can be added to any pair of
sunglasses to decrease glare.
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Latest
Medical Information About Eye Problems and UV Light
Cataracts
and UV Protection for Children -- A cataract develops when the natural lens within your eye
becomes discolored, cloudy and difficult to see through.
When you are a child, your lens is absolutely clear, then discolors as
you get older. An older, slightly
discolored lens will absorb most of the harmful UV light and protect your
retina. So, it is most important
to wear UV protecting sunglasses when you are young and to put them on your
children.
Macular Degeneration --
The retina is the light sensing layer that lines the inside of your eye.
The macula is the functional center of the retina used to read and
watch TV. Macular degeneration is
the most common cause of severe irreversible vision loss in the elderly and is
more commonly found in people with light colored irises and fair complexions.
Since studies have associated macular degeneration with sun (UV)
exposure, you can protect yourself with sunglasses.
Cancer -- Most of us
know that several sun burns experienced as a child will lead to a lifetime
risk for skin melanoma. This is
also true for tumors in and around the eye.
Though eye cancers are relatively uncommon, basal cell carcinomas are
typically found on the more exposed lower eyelid and melanomas of the
conjunctiva are becoming more common. Studies
have shown that intra-ocular melanomas are more commonly found in people with
light-colored irises and outdoor occupations.
New Treatments -- The
good news is that cataracts can be replaced with artificial
lenses (IOL's) and most eye cancers are cured by surgical removal or
radiation.
Recent findings have
demonstrated that certain doses of vitamin C, E, zinc and copper; eating green
vegetables, and laser treatments have improved the outcomes of patients with
macular degeneration.
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