Scenic Rim Optometrists
  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Book An Appointment
  • Contact Us
  • What is Involved in a Consultation?
  • Other Tests & Services
  • Blog
  • Common Eye Disorders
  • Frames & Sunglasses
  • Spectacle Lens Options
  • Contact Lenses
  • About Us

UV Damage and Your Eyes

10/14/2012

1 Comment

 
Sunglasses are not only a fashion item.  They are essential in preventing eye damage caused by the sun’s UV radiation.

Most of us are aware that UV exposure to our skin can lead to sunburn and, ultimately, skin cancer.  Medical evidence shows that our eyes can also suffer from sunburn, which can lead to a number of problems in the long term including cataracts, pterygia, macular degeneration and melanomas.  In the short term UV radiation can also ‘burn’ or damage the front of the eye.

Cataracts are cloudiness in the lens of the eye and poor vision results as the cloudiness interferes with the light entering the eye.  A pterygium is a triangular shaped lump of tissue which grows on the conjunctiva (the front of the eye).  If the pterygium grows so bit it reaches the pupil it will cause poor vision.  Macular degeneration causes progressive damage to the macula (the central part of the retina at the back of the eye).  This will result in loss of central vision, which means a loss of ability to read, recognise faces, drive and see colours clearly. 

Avoiding UV damage to your eyes is quite simple.  Avoid the sun in the middle of the day.  Wearing a broad brimmed hat will reduce the amount of UV radiation reaching your eyes by half.  A good pair of sunglasses will also reduce the amount of UV radiation from reaching your eyes.  It is a good idea to start UV protection early, and children should start wearing sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen as young as possible.

All sunglasses on sale in Australia must meet an Australian Standard that specifies how much UV radiation the sunglasses must block.  They should have a tag stating that they meet AS 1067 and specify whether they are general purpose or specific purpose sunglasses.  The general purpose sunglass lenses are designed for everyday UV protection.  The specific purpose sunglass lenses are designed for people who are exposed to high levels of UV radiation.
1 Comment
Visit us link
10/23/2018 02:22:36 pm

Your article has piqued a lot of positive interest. I can see why since you have done such a good job of making it interesting.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    February 2022
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    March 2019
    February 2016
    October 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.