The daylight hours have gradually gotten longer in Houston. Gulf Coast living means being bathed in golden sunlight abundantly. In good moderation sunlight even with its UV component remains excellent for the body and helps maintain our normal sleep biorhythms. Too much UV light over time can blur vision. UV stands for ultraviolet and is known as a type of electromagnetic radiation not visible but a small part of the sunshine that falls upon us daily. For many, if eyes left unprotected over the years, it can cause a clouding of the lens known as cataracts. Simply using a set of good sunglasses that filter out UV rays can solve the problem.
Sun Damage
Sunlight, for the most part, remains a good thing to walk in. Too much sunlight can burn not only the skin but the eyeball and even inside the eye through the pupil to the retina. Some of the sun’s rays travel through even cloud cover. With long lives, the damage from overexposure can build up over the years. Repeated burning of skin can cause skin cancer. Repeated burning of the eyes can cause opaqueness of the lens. The United Nations Environment Programme estimates 12 to 15 million people have blindness due to cataracts. Of that total, the WHO estimated 20% or about 3 million happened because of overexposure to the sun. Some factors affect the type of exposure.
- Elevation of the sun in the sky
- Summer has the highest UV readings around noon
- Latitude and longitude of location (tropics receive more sunlight)
- Ground reflection from snow, sand, or some buildings
- Length of time outdoors
When to Use Sunglasses
Damage to the eyes from the sun can happen any time of year and just about any location. Basically, if the pupil of the eye does not lie in the shade from a hat, visor, building, or vehicle a possibility of sun damage exists. Wearing sunglasses regularly lessens the exposure of the eye to UV rays. Reducing the exposure prevents the condition. Yet no consistent prediction tells the doc, tors who have more susceptibility to damage from sunlight. Regular check-ups and being aware as a person grows older to check the eyesight as they read tells a person what they need to know.
What to Know When Buying Sunglasses
Not all sunglasses come with the same features. When purchasing eyeglasses to protect from the sun look for the mark that says 100% UV protection. Dark lenses on eyeglasses do not mean better protection. The Ultraviolet label level determines protection. Also, know the more space around the eye that becomes covered the better the protection. Glasses with large lens keep UV from entering from the side. Even the newer wraparound sunglasses prevent UV from sneaking in from the side.
What to Do Despite Precautions
If the lens of the eye develops cloudiness and forms a cataract do not worry. Many people become good candidates for LASIK surgery. The Laser eye surgery has a 96% success rate. Using a high-level clinic like Houston Lasik with award-winning ophthalmologists gives the best chance to restore eyesight to a good level.
Houston Lasik leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS, and Air Force fighter pilots. At Houston Lasik, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478.
Information Via
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/sun
http://www.who.int/uv/publications/proUVrad.pdf
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/top-sunglasses-tips
