Center for Vision Loss

MAKE SUNGLASSES PART OF YOUR SUMMER PLANS!

A few days ago we finally said an official "hello" to Summer, 2015! And that translates to more time spent outdoors--hiking and walking, swimming, relaxing on the patio or enjoying time sunbathing at the beach.. While most people won't forget the necessity of sunblock, the Center for Vision Loss encourages you to include sunglasses as an important part of your summer attire. Regularly wearing sunglasses can protect your eyes from a number of debilitating eye conditions including cataracts and even sunburn of the front surface of the eye.The ultra violet (UV) rays of the sun have both a direct and indirect impact. The reflection off the sand, water, pavement (and snow in the winter) is very damaging over time.

Fortunately sunglasses now come in just about every shape, style, color, size and price point for both adults and children. Whether an "on trend" or a plain, serviceable style, read the label carefully and choose sunglasses that:

• Reduce glare
• Filter out 99% to 100% of UV-A and UV-B rays (Protection comes from a chemical applied to the lenses and the darkness of the lens is not indicative of the protection provided.)
• Are large enough to protect your eyes
• Are comfortable to wear
• Do not distort colors or images-gray, green or brown lenses are better choices
• When at the beach or on the ski slopes (of course, we mean in winter here!), wear reflective lenses with darker tin to block more light
• Look for an optometric "seal of acceptance" which guarantees the effectiveness

Please note, also that children should wear sunglasses. If you child doesn't mind wearing sunglasses, let them pick out their own style of glasses. You could also try to encourage a reticent child by telling them that it is "trendy" to wear "shades" like their favorite TV character! Make sure, however, that the sunglasses are suitable for protective eye wear because the dark plastic lenses of cheap sunglasses will only cause the pupils to dilate and thereby allow more UV rays into the eye. In this instance a cap or visor may be better at keeping the sun out of the child's eyes. Children are at a higher risk for eye damage because they usually spend more time outdoors and their eyes are more susceptible to UV damage because the eye's lens has not yet begun to cloud.

Everyone is at risk for eye problems caused by UV rays. Some folks, however, have a higher risk:

• If you had cataract surgery or have other retina disorders
• Have light eyes because they have less pigmentation and are thus more susceptible to the harmful effects of UV radiation just as lighter skin is
• Are taking certain medications such as tetracycline, sulfa drugs, birth control pills, diuretics or tranquilizers that increase the eye's sensitivity to light. Talk with your doctor to learn of other measures to avoid sun damage.

This information is provided by the Center for Vision Loss with offices in the Lehigh Valley (610-433-6018) and Monroe County (570-992-7787). We are a non-profit agency serving Lehigh, Northampton and Monroe Counties with programs and services dedicated to improving the lives of people with vision loss and promoting healthy vision in the community. Visit us at www.centerforvisionloss.org or facebook.com/lowvision845. Read more about the importance of protecting your eyes from UV at http://minnesota.aoa.org/x6620.xml.