Let’s Learn About UV Rays

UV rays are electromagnetic radiation that originates from the sun. UV rays can also come from artificial sources as well. Of all the types of UV rays, UVA and UVB are the ones that can affect our eyes. We want you to take in a healthy amount of UV rays because they help your body produce Vitamin D. If you’re hit by UV rays for too long you might get sunburnt. Too much sun over time can even lead to some skin cancers. We want you to get the sun you need, but we want you to be safe when doing it!

So How Do UV Rays Affect Your Eyes?

If your eyes are out in the sun for too long, there are many eye conditions you might develop:

Pterygia

A Pterygium refers to tissue growth on the white part of the eye. You need to be extra careful because this can come from too much time exposed to UV rays. The growth can cause red eyes and make you feel uncomfortable. With how much we use our eyes, we don’t want you to feel any sort of discomfort.

Photokeratitis

Did you know you can sunburn your eyes? Well you can, and it’s called photokeratitis. This happens when your eyes are out in strong UV rays for a long period of time. It can cause intense pain, eye redness, excessive watering, tearing, blurred vision, and discomfort. It’s a temporary condition, but if your eyes get sunburnt too many times you might have damaged eyes for the rest of your life. We want you to have a long life of healthy eyes, so protect them while you can,

Cataracts

Cataracts develop naturally, but if your eyes are exposed to the sun often, you might get cataracts more quickly. What we don’t want to happen is for you to get cataracts at a young age. Cataracts make your eyes cloudy and block your vision, which can lead to a life of hardship. If you don’t seek help, you may eventually become blind. Becoming blind is the worst-case scenario and we want to treat your issue far before it gets to that stage.

Macular Degeneration

High amounts of UV rays are closely linked to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This condition affects the central area of the retina and can make it difficult for you to see things clearly. A bad case of AMD can negatively affect your vision and may even lead to blindness down the road. You’ll usually find this condition in people that are 50 years old or above. Decisions you make now can have a huge impact on your life in the future. That’s why you need to be smart and careful with your eyes.

Enjoy Time Outside with Great Eye Protection

We know you want to spend time outside, but we also want you to keep your eyes safe: 

UV Ray Exposure Accumulates

There’s nothing more exciting than the joy of kids laughing and playing outside all summer long. While they’re out there having fun, they’re also being exposed to harmful UV radiation. You might be thinking that kids won’t develop eye issues at such a young age. While you’re mostly right, we want you to know that UV ray damage accumulates over time. The more years they’re outside playing without eye protection, the more damaged their eyes will become over time.

The Sun Isn’t Only Out During the Summer

Even though the sun shines the brightest in the summer, it doesn’t mean that it disappears in the other months of the year. As long as the sun is out, UV rays are being emitted. So next time you’re outside, no matter if it’s hot or cold, we want you to protect yourself with a pair of sunglasses.

What Kind of Sunglasses are Good for UV Protection?

Finding the right sunglasses is tough, and we know that. We want to help you understand what makes a good pair:

UV Blocking

For you to get the protection you need, you must find sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB ray protection. As tempting as it may be to buy a pair of cheap convenience store sunglasses, we want you to find the very best you can. And that is with proper eye care facilities, such as eyecarecenter.

High-Quality Lenses

You deserve the very best lenses, and that means that they’ll both improve your vision and block out the sun’s rays. Being able to see properly is another safety precaution our team wants you to take. A prescription pair of shades will both protect you from UV radiation and help you see better.

Polarized Lenses

It can be frustrating to get hit with intense glare while walking around outside or driving. We think your next pair of sunglasses should have polarized lenses. They help block out glare and work particularly great in high sunlight and UV ray conditions.

Make Sure They Fit

In the same way, shade and hats can help protect your eyes, properly fitting sunglasses can do the same. What helps with UV eye protection is that there is full coverage. You will want a pair of sunglasses that fit properly and fully cover your eyes and the skin around your eyes. On top of all that, we want your sunglasses to be comfortable. Make sure the frames fit you and aren’t too big or too small. Not only would they be uncomfortable, but they wouldn’t provide the full protection you need.