Talking About Optometry For Kids

Prescription Sunglasses: 4 Reasons To Protect Your Eyes From UV Light

8 September 2016

Amelia Dunn

If you want to see when the sun's shining bright, you have to wear sunglasses that block out the majority of visible light. While all sunglasses block out light, not all of them block out UV rays, which are more dangerous than bright light. Radiation from UV rays can cause a host of eye diseases that can affect your vision for the rest of your life. Therefore, you must wear prescription sunglasses that block out all UV light each time you are out in the sun. Following are four reasons you want to protect your eyes. 

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a degenerative disease that results in blindness. This disease is caused by retinal damage that occurs due to extended sun exposure over the course of a lifetime. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of age-related blindness.

Cataracts

UV rays are to blame for approximately 10 percent of all cataract cases. A cataract is the clouding of the eye's lens, which is responsible for focusing and directing light into the eye. Cataracts form over time and generally get worse with age. They may require surgery to remove. 

Corneal Sunburn

Being out on the snow or water when the sun is bright, even for a short amount of time, can lead to a condition called photokeratitis. The condition is ultimately a sunburn on the cornea caused by intense, short-term exposure to UV-B rays. It can lead to temporary vision loss and can be quite painful. Corneal sunburn can happen anywhere, but it occurs more quickly in areas where the air is thinner and provides less protection, such as in the mountains.

Growths

UV light exposure can lead to the development of cancerous and non-cancerous growths on the eye and surrounding tissues, such as the eyelids. Pterygium, a pink, non-cancerous growth, develops on the white of the eye and is most often associated with sun exposure. In fact, the condition is often called surfer's eye because of its direct relationship with sun exposure. Cancerous growths commonly form on the skin surrounding the eye and are also strongly linked with sun exposure. 

As you can see, there are several reasons why you should protect your eyes with prescription sunglasses whenever you are outdoors. Taking the time to don a pair of sunglasses today can really have a positive effect on the health of your eyes today and for the rest of your life. For more information, contact an optometrist at a location like Bergh-White Opticians, Inc.

Share