Issue 24.11
The summer is almost upon us and the sun is shining. With temperatures rising, we need to be using sunscreen and moisturizers to protect our skin, drinking ample water to keep ourselves from dehydration and wearing hats and scarves to keep the heat away… and so on. But what are we doing to protect our eyes?
The sun provides enjoyment, but over-exposure can damage your skin and your eyes. The harm to your eyes comes from the ultraviolet (UV) light of the sun which can trigger a host of eye problems: cataracts, macular degeneration, corneal burns, benign growths and eye cancer.
Cataract: A cataract develops when the natural lens within your eye becomes discolored and cloudy. Sunlight is one of the primary reasons that cataracts form and people who spend a lot of time outside are three times more likely to develop cataracts.
Macular Degeneration — The retina is the light-sensing layer that lines the inside of your eye. The macula is the functional center of the retina used to read and watch TV. Macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss in the elderly and is more commonly found in people with light colored irises and fair complexions. Since studies have associated macular degeneration with sun (UV) exposure, you can protect yourself with sunglasses.
Cancer — Most of us know that several sunburns experienced as a child will lead to a lifetime risk for skin melanoma. This is also true for tissue in and around the eye. Though eye cancers are relatively uncommon, basal cell carcinomas are typically found on the more exposed lower eyelid and melanomas of the conjunctiva are becoming more common.
Even a day at the pool or lake can affect your eyes because of the reflective glare of the water. The best way to prevent these problems is to wear sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection. Think of sunglasses as sun block for your eyes.
Certain drugs also increase UV toxicity. Patients who take chlorothiazides, sulfonamides, tetracycline, phenothiazines, psoralens, and allopurinol should be extra cautious about sunlight.
No one color of sunglasses (gray, brown, yellow, etc.) is better than any other in blocking the damaging rays of the sun. The key feature to look for in all sunglasses is that they have 100 percent UV protection in the lenses. Most optical shops have a machine called a photometer that can measure UV transmission and it would be worth having your glasses checked to be certain.
So get a great pair of sunglasses and let’s enjoy the summer. Remember to have your dilated eye exam every year to help prevent eye disease. We use our eyes every day, all day and we should never take them for granted. Sharon Richens, MD, is an ophthalmologist, an eye physician and surgeon, practicing at Richens Eye Center, 161 West 200 North suite 200, St. George. Appointments can be made at (435) 986-2020.