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Damaging UV Rays Can Scorch Your Vision

Summer is approaching at rapid speed and that means increased UV rays from the sun affecting every part of our body, from our skin to our eyes. To keep us safe from the sweltering sun, The American Academy of Ophthalmology and Prevent Blindness America have teamed up to designate May as Healthy Vision and Ultraviolet Awareness Month. The goal is to not only educate the public about the dangers of ultraviolet rays, but to promote general awareness on eye health and prevent eye disease and injury.

Recent study on UV rays
The statistics on UV rays continue to grow. A recent study conducted in Los Angeles, California found that car door windows had 50 percent less blockage from the sun than originally thought. This may explain why UV rays have been blamed for the increased number of skin cancer and cataract diagnoses on the left side of the body.* Lead researcher of the study, Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, warns there is no guarantee even factory tinted car windows would protect against UV rays.

Protect yourself from UV rays

  • Stay out of the sun between 10am-4pm when UV rays are at their strongest or seek shaded areas when outdoors.
  • Wear protective clothing such as a wide-brimmed hat and UV400 wraparound sunglasses (even on cloudy days) that block out UV-A and UV-B light.
  • Reapply SPF 30+ sunscreen (especially to the left side of the face and body for drivers) every two hours, especially after swimming or excessive sweating.
  • Be extra cautious when spending time on water, snow, ice, white sand, and other bright surfaces. The sun reflects off it, doubling UV exposure and making you more vulnerable to sun burns.
  • If you smoke, make quitting a top priority—this can cause UV radiation damage to progress more quickly.
  • If you smoke, make quitting a top priority—this can cause UV radiation damage to progress more quickly.

Eye injuries and vision loss
Although UV rays are a rapidly increasing threat, our eye health is also affected by other factors like age, genetics, injury, and disease. In fact, more than 20 million Americans suffer from severe vision loss resulting from eye injury or disease. The numbers of age-related eye diseases are expected to reach 43 million by the year 2020. Although not all eye diseases can be prevented, causes of some eye injuries can be greatly reduced by taking some simple precautionary measures.

Eye injuries can happen anywhere—while you’re cooking, cleaning, doing yard work, basic home repairs, etc. This is why every home should be equipped with ANSI Z87.1 certified home safety glasses.** They protect from hazards such as impact, radiation, chemical splash, welding, and more. If an eye injury does occur, see an ophthalmologist immediately. Delaying treatment for even a minor problem could lead to vision loss or even blindness.


Vision protection tips

  • Adults under the age of 60 should get a baseline eye exam every two years; over age 60 should go annually.
  • Vitamin deficiency can impair retinal function. Eat a variety of vegetables, especially leafy green ones, in addition to a balanced diet. Those with higher levels of vitamins C, E, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA are less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration (AHD).
  • Wear proper eye protection during sports and home projects to reduce the occurrence of an eye injury.
  • It’s extremely important to get a family history of eye disease, since many conditions are genetic. If you know you are at an increased risk you can take extra precautions.
  • Avoid eye strain if you work at a computer by following the 20-20-20 rule: look up from your work station every 20 minutes at an object 20 yards away for at least 20 seconds.
  • Take care of your contact lenses—using expired solutions, wearing them overnight, and using disposable lenses beyond their wear can lead to corneal ulcers, severe pain, and even vision loss.

Programs that can help

Eye Care America
Started by The Foundation of American Academy of Ophthalmology, this program operates through volunteer ophthalmologists who offer free annual eye exams for all US citizens over the age of 65 who qualify.

American Academy of Dermatology
Sponsors of the annual "Melanoma Monday" (also known as the SPOTme® Skin Cancer Screening Program), the AAD offers free skin cancer screenings on the first Monday of every May. This year’s theme "Looking Good in 2016" encourages everyone to make sure their skin is “looking good” by protecting it from the sun’s ultraviolet rays and checking it for signs of skin cancer. Search the hashtag #LookingGoodin2016 to see how others are acknowledging this important initiative.

UV Index Awareness
Calculated by the National Weather Service and published mid-afternoon (ET) at the EPA website, the UV Index indicates the strength of solar UV radiation on a scale from 1 (low) to 11+ (extremely high). You can sign up to receive UV alerts for your area and take added precautionary measures on those days.

Help protect your skin and eyes from UV rays by using the tips above and taking advantage of the resources listed. Remember, UV rays are a danger year round, not just in the summer! Take the right supplements

General eye health depends on proper dietary fats like Omega 3 (EPA) and Omega 6 (DHA). The fatty acids support blood vessels that feed the retina and build the nerve sheath of the optic nerve. OMEGA+++ (a natural supplement) contains Omega 3 and 6, as well as Omega 9 (gamma linoleic acid). See the studies linking OMEGA+++ to eye health.

Recently, research has also shown that vitamin C can aid in protecting our eyes in addition to our skin. You can read more here.

*Drivers in the U.S. sit on the left side of the car.
** Windshields are more protective than car windows because they are made of laminated glass to prevent shattering, whereas car door windows are primarily made of tempered glass.
***Find them at online retail sites like Amazon.com or home improvement stores like Home Depot.