An Eye Opener: Overexposure to UV Rays Can Lead to Eye Diseases

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weber@franco.com

An Eye Opener: Overexposure to UV Rays Can Lead to Eye Diseases

The Michigan Optometric Association encourages simple eye care precautions during sun exposure

LANSING, Mich. – (May 3, 2010) – With summer right around the corner, more people will be spending time outdoors. Unfortunately, most people think about the protection of their skin, when they should also be considering the safety of their eyes.

Whether it’s cloudy or sunny, summer or winter, the Michigan Optometric Association (MOA) urges Americans to take measures to protect their eyes from the sun’s UV rays in order to decrease the risk of eye diseases and disorders.

“Overexposure to UV rays is quite serious and can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration, or, in some cases, skin cancer around the eyelids,” said Peter Agnone, O.D., MOA member. “Other disorders that can occur are abnormal growths on the eye’s surface and even sunburn of the eyes. These conditions can cause blurred vision, irritation, redness, tearing, temporary vision loss and, in some instances, blindness.”

According to the American Optometric Association’s American Eye-Q® survey, only one-third of Americans said UV protection is the most important factor they consider when purchasing sunglasses. Even more concerning is the lack of awareness surrounding the potential effects of overexposure to UV radiation. According to the survey, 35 percent of adults are unaware of the eye health risks associated with spending too much time in the sun without proper protection.

The following five tips from the MOA may help prevent eye and vision damage from overexposure to UV radiation:

Wear protective eyewear any time the eyes are exposed to UV rays, even on cloudy days and during the winter.
Look for quality sunglasses that offer good protection. Sunglasses or protective contact lenses should block 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B radiation and screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light.
Check to make sure sunglass lenses are perfectly matched in color and free of distortions or imperfections.
Purchase gray-colored lenses because they reduce light intensity without altering the color of objects to provide the most natural color vision. Brown or amber-colored lenses may be better for those who are visually impaired because they increase contrast as well as reducing light intensity.
Don’t forget protection for young children and teenagers, who typically spend more time in the sun than adults and are at a greater risk for damage.

Children need protection too
“The lenses of children’s eyes are more transparent than those of adults allowing shorter wavelength light to reach the retina,” said Dr. Agnone. “Because the effects of solar radiation are cumulative, it’s important to develop good protection habits early, such as purchasing and wearing proper sunglasses for young children and teenagers.”

According to the MOA, parents should purchase sunglasses for all children including infants.

The American Eye-Q® survey found 66 percent of Americans purchase sunglasses for their children, but more than one in four parents do not check to make sure the lenses have proper UV protection. Additionally, only 29 percent of parents make sure their child wears sunglasses while outdoors.

More information on UV protection
Additional information from the AOA’s 2009 American Eye-Q® survey, which identified Americans’ attitudes and behaviors regarding eye care and related issues, includes the following statistics:

While just over one-third (33 percent) of Americans said UV protection was the most important factor when purchasing sunglasses; the other factors respondents said were important included comfort/fit (26 percent), price (18 percent), style (15 percent) or lens color (3 percent).
73 percent of survey respondents have worn lenses (contacts lenses or eyeglasses) that provide UV protection.
38 percent of respondents wear prescription sunglasses.
42 percent of respondents do not wear sunglasses during the winter months
66 percent of parents do not make sure their children wear sunglasses during winter months.

A good way to monitor eye health, maintain good vision, and keep up-to-date on the latest in UV protection is by scheduling periodic comprehensive eye exams with an eye doctor. The MOA recommends adults age 60 and under have a comprehensive eye exam every two years and then annually thereafter. Based on an individual’s eye health, the optometrist may recommend more frequent visits.

To locate a Michigan Optometric Association doctor, visit the MOA Web site at www.themoa.org and click on the Find an Optometrist link at the upper right of the homepage.

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[Editor’s note: To schedule an interview with an optometrist, please contact Lauren Weber at (313) 567-5048.]

About the Michigan Optometric Association
The mission of the Michigan Optometric Association is to unite all licensed optometrists and be the representative voice for the profession of optometry in Michigan. The association provides education, information and other member services to assist optometrists in practicing successfully in accordance with the highest standards of patient care; works to advance the quality and accessibility of optometric services throughout the state and seeks to ensure the recognition of optometrists as the primary providers of vision and related eye health care.

About the survey:
The fourth annual American Eye-Q® survey was created and commissioned in conjunction with Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates (PSB). From May 21 – 24, 2009, using an online methodology, PSB interviewed 1,000 Americans 18 years and older who embodied a nationally representative sample of U.S. general population. (Margin of error at 95 percent confidence level.)

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