Guess what? Summer is coming.  And that means sun.  Lots and lots of sun.  Make sure you protect yourself against sun damaged eyes.  This brief article by ContactLens.co.uk shows you exactly what I mean.

People who take precautions to protect their eyes during the spring and summer months will significantly reduce their chances of suffering from vision problems in later life, according to one expert.  Dr Elizabeth Baze, assistant professor of ophthalmology at BCM and deputy executive of the Eye Care Line at the Michael DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, said that sun damage is a major cause of long-term eye damage.  She pointed out that people who take necessary precautions to safeguard themselves against the effects of the sun in the summer months, such as using sun block around the eyes, wearing hats and enhancing UV protection, will see the benefit.  “Ultraviolet light has certainly been linked to the development of macular degeneration, cataracts and other vision-loss problems. Practicing these measures can ensure for healthy fun in the sun,” Dr Baze said.

Her comments follow recent research carried out by Sight Care Group, which showed that many women are putting their eyesight at risk by not wearing glasses, because they fear spectacles will make them unattractive.

Before the sun really starts blasting your eyes, make sure you get a comprehensive eye exam from Simon Eye Associates.  An eye exam now can save you a lot of time and money later.  Eye exams can detect problems before they become an issue.  Call today 302-239-1933.

Protect Your Vision

Exposure to the Sun has been linked to all kinds of eye problems, from cataracts, to macular degeneration and skin cancer around your eyelids.  The problem is not the sun itself, but those harmful ultraviolet rays we’ve all heard of, mostly during the summer months and around beach areas.  Ultraviolet rays not only harm your skin and could cause serious damage, but they also have the potential to cause damage to eyes.  And just like you wear sun screen with SPF to shield your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays, you also need to shield your eyes, or you risk potential problems in the future.  What can you do? The most important thing you can do is to get yourself a really good pair of sunglasses.  Cheap sunglasses are more harmful than good and don’t protect your eyes enough.  Look on the label and find a pair of sunglasses that blocks out 99-100% of both UV-A and UV-B rays.  Don’t just choose a pair of sunglasses with the most tint.  You have to make sure they say they block out at least 99% of both UV-A and UV-B rays.  Wearing a hat will help as well.  It will keep the sun from coming in from overhead.  There is nothing wrong with the sun and it has many, many benefits.  But with prolonged exposure you are at risk unless you take precautions.

The Sun: A Gorgeous Force