You’ve been told since you were little to not stare into the sun or into the light because they can damage your vision, but what kind of damage would it actually cost? One of the things that we encourage your patients to do here at our office is to always leave the house wearing protective sunglasses, but why exactly? Although your new shades may make you look like a rockstar, we encourage patients to wear them for some other reasons.
- Cataracts: The lens in our eyes is made up of a combination of protein and water. As we age or if we get too much UV exposure, it can cause the protein to clump in the eyes. The result? A cataract or a cloudy lens. Typically, patients with only extreme sun exposure (like surfers) develop cataracts a result of sun damage.
- Macular Degeneration: Although age one is the leading cause of macular degeneration, sun damage has also been linked to it. In fact, studies show that exposure to UVA rays, in particular, may lead to the development of both macular degeneration and cataracts.
- Photokeratitis: This temporary form of vision loss is caused when the corneas get sunburned. Typically, patients with this condition experience blurred vision, light sensitivity, and discomfort.
What Can I Do?
Now that you know that your parents weren’t lying to you when you were a kid, what can you do as an adult to keep your eyes protected from the sun? Wear sunglasses. Sunglasses are the easiest and most beneficial way to keep your eyes safe and protected. Just make sure though that you invest in sunglasses that have both UVA and UVB protection in them; that way you are protected all around.
If you want to learn more about your eyes and UVA exposure, contact our office at (248) 334-4931.