For residents of Southwest Florida, protecting our skin from the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a common concern. However, many do not realize the importance of protecting other areas of the body as well. Our eyes are also at risk of being harmed by prolonged exposure to UV light and we must take necessary precautions in order to avoid permanent damage. Just as sunscreen protects our skin and helps us avoid damaging skin conditions, sunglasses give our eyes protection from harmful overexposure to sunlight and helps to prevent eye disease.
UV radiation exposes your eyes to a variety of conditions. Inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva are short-term effects of overexposure and can result in the development of photokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis. Sunlight overexposure causes the eyes to feel sunburned and can result in painful symptoms, such as sensitivity to light, red eyes, excessive tearing and a gritty feeling in the eyes. While these symptoms are reversible and rarely cause permanent damage, it is important to protect your eyes with sunglasses.
“In Southwest Florida, sun overexposure is an ever-present danger to our eye health,” said Dr. E. Trevor Elmquist of Elmquist Eye Group. “To prevent long-term damage, make an effort to protect your eyes by wearing wide-brimmed hats, UV-blocking contact lenses and close-fitting, UV-blocking sunglasses that will protect your eyes from every angle.”
Studies have shown that long-term overexposure to UV rays without proper eye protection can cause a variety of conditions, such as cataracts, melanoma, skin cancer around the eyelids, macular degeneration, pingueculas, pterygiums and other corneal conditions. These conditions are propelled by UV radiation and can often result in vision loss or require surgery to repair the damage. According to the World Health Organization, 20 percent of cases of cataracts are avoidable due to the fact that it is likely caused by overexposure to UV radiation. Without the use of proper eye protection, you are putting yourself at risk for developing a variety of conditions.
According to the American Optometric Association, your sunglasses should:
- block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation;
- screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light;
- be perfectly matched in color and free of distortion and imperfection; and
- have lenses that are gray for proper color recognition.
“Regardless of the weather, it is essential to implement proper eye protection by wearing sunglasses that fully cover your eyes,” said Dr. Kate Wagner of Elmquist Eye Group. “People are often misled to believe that clouds reduce levels of UV exposure, but UV radiation is present whether or not the sun is shining.”
If you are experiencing discomfort caused by overexposure to sunlight, it is important to speak to a doctor to discuss treatment options. Dr. E. Trevor Elmquist, Dr. Kate Wagner, Dr. Nina Burt, and Dr. Sarah Eccles-Brown of Elmquist Eye Group are available to answer your questions. With over 20 years of service to the Southwest Florida community, Elmquist Eye Group offers experienced doctors that are dedicated to patient care. Elmquist Eye Group’s Cape Coral office is located at 2336 Surfside Blvd., Suite 121, and additional offices are located in Fort Myers and at Shell Point. For more information, visit www.Elmquist.com, call 239-936-2020 or stop by an Optical Boutique location in Cape Coral or Fort Myers.
