July is Ultraviolet Safety Month. The goal of this health observance is to educate our patients on protecting themselves from sun damage to the eyes. We all love to soak up the sun, but too often forget to take the proper safety measures, and some are unaware of the harmful effects of the sun. Now that Summer is here, let’s talk about the ways the sun can cause damage to our eyes and vision.
The sun emits two different types of ultraviolet rays. These two types of UV rays are called UVA and UVB. Both types of rays can cause damage to the eyes and vision when proper safety cautions are not taken. UV B rays are longer rays that can be the most damaging. Did you know that your eyes can actually get sunburned? It’s true. Overexposure to UV B rays can cause sunburned eyes. This occurs because the cornea of the eyes can absorb up to 100% of UVB rays.* The term photokeratitis is used to describe this damage caused by overexposure to sunlight. This can cause burning, itching, pain, a grittiness feeling within the eyes, or even temporary vision loss. If this occurs, you should immediately get out of the sunlight. Apply a cool washcloth onto your eyes as they’re closed, and avoid any rubbing. You should set up an appointment as soon as possible if these symptoms occur. Additionally, prolonged exposure to the sun has been linked to cataracts and macular degeneration. However, these conditions are not linked to UVB. These conditions are linked to UVA rays. Unlike UVB, UVA rays can pass through your corneas, reaching the retina within your eyes. This deeper penetration is what can cause certain types of cataracts and has been linked to macular degeneration. You cannot put sunscreen on your eyes, but luckily there are plenty of ways to protect your vision while exposed to sunlight.
One of the most obvious ways to protect your vision during those hot summer days is to wear sunglasses. However, not all sunglasses are made equally. When purchasing sunglasses, you should look for those that block 100% of UV Rays. It is important to note that the sunglasses you purchase should block both UVA and UVB rays. Additionally, glasses with wrap-around or larger lenses will block more rays because there will be less of a chance for the sun to penetrate your eyes through the sides of the sunglasses. It is also important to have sunglasses that are scratch-resistant. Once sunglasses become scratched or chipped, they need to be replaced as their protectiveness is decreased. You can talk to your ophthalmologist about the best place to purchase sunglasses.
In addition to sunglasses, you should be wearing a hat if you plan on being outside for prolonged periods of time. The hat you choose should have a large brim to give your face the most shade. This is especially important if you’ll be lounging on the beach or out on the boat for hours. The classic floppy beach hat is a great choice for those days spent in the sun. For men, bucket hats or regular snapbacks will work just as well. Just make sure the brim provides your face with plenty of shade.
Hats aren’t the only way to provide your self and your eyes shade. If you plan on spending the day at the beach, umbrellas and canopies are great choices. These devices help provide additional shade for your skin and eyes. Preventing your skin from burning can help reduce your risk for skin cancer. Umbrellas or canopies are also great choices because they can be used anywhere such as the park, the lake, on the boat, or at an outdoor event.
It is important to note the time of day and location at which you plan on being outdoors. If possible, avoid being outdoors for prolonged periods of time during the peak time of sunlight. This occurs usually between noon and 2 pm. Geographical location can also determine how much sunlight and protection you will need. If you live in a cooler climate, sunglasses alone will be effective enough. But, if you live in a hot climate, you may need hats, sunglasses, and canopies to properly protect your vision.
Don’t forget, your skin and children need to be protected too. Children should be wearing sunglasses and hats as well. It is important to always wear sunscreen when outdoors. It is also important to note that UV rays can still penetrate your skin and eyes even on cloudy days.
If you have any questions, or to schedule an appointment, please call us. Our Kansas City location’s phone number is 816-455-2020. Our St. Joseph's office can be reached by calling 816-279-7015.
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