Baltimore
Washington Eye Center Ophthalmologist Arturo Betancourt, M.D. commented on
Ultraviolet (UV) Eye Protection Awareness Month. “As
May marks Ultraviolet (UV) Eye Protection Awareness Month, we wanted to
comment on
UV
protective eyewear and precautions people should take,” commented Dr.
Betancourt “The summer months are a
great time to be outdoors-walking, hiking, swimming-going to the beach-and just
enjoying our community. But, with more exposure to the sun and ultraviolet or
UV rays on a daily basis, we need to be reminded to use proper UV eye
protection”, remarked Dr. Betancourt.
Almost
everyone is aware of the potential damage that sunlight and ultraviolet (UV)
radiation can cause to their skin, however most people do not know or
appreciate that ultraviolet light (UV) can also cause significant damage to eye
health and vision.
Exposure to UV has been linked to many eye problems
and in some instances is thought to quicken the onset of eye diseases such as age related
macular degeneration (AMD)cancers on the
delicate skin around the eye, Pterygia-a growth of white tissue on
the surface of the eye-and even
Photokeratitis,
a type of sunburn of the cornea.
“One of the most concerning aspects of
UV eye damage and injury is that it is cumulative and often doesn’t become
noticeable to patients for many years,” noted Dr. Betancourt.
Some precautions regarding UV eye protection include:
- Always wear sunglasses that block
100% of UVA and UVB rays. Sunglasses without UV protection may shade the eyes
but actually cause the pupils to dilate, allowing in even more harmful rays.
• Wear a brimmed hat along with
sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
- Choose wrap-around sunglasses to
protect the eyes and the skin around the eyes.
- Be aware that although some
contact lenses may offer UV protection, they cannot protect the entire eye and
the skin around it.
- Choose sunglasses made of
unbreakable polycarbonate, especially for children and for those who lead
active lifestyles.
- Be sure to ask your doctor about
the photosensitizing side effects of any medications that you might take.
- Always wear eye protection when
using a tanning bed. According the American Academy of Ophthalmology, tanning
beds can produce UV levels up to 100 times more than the sun, which can cause
serious damage to the external and internal structures of the eye and eyelids.
Today we have wide range of
UV
protecting eyeglass lensesavailable to choose from. Eye protection
from UV needs to be complete but doesn’t have to be overly expensive. High
quality sunglasses should block out 99-100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation. It is also important to have UV protection in everyday eyewear, which is readily available
with a number of
UV
blocking eyeglass lens materials, specialized coatings and
photochromic
lenses.
Patients visiting Baltimore
Washington Eye Center can speak with our staff who will be able to provide the
proper counseling and fitting of UV protecting lenses and eyewear. These eye
care professionals can offer a wide variety of UV blocking lenses, coatings and
color changing lenses to keep you safe.
If you or someone you know has a
question or concerns about ultraviolet (UV) eye damage and injury and how to
select protective eyewear please feel free to call
contact Baltimore Washington Eye Center by calling 800-495-3937,
visiting
Baltimore Washington Eye Center
or facebook.com/baltimorewashingtoneyecenter.
Baltimore
Washington Eye Center is a leading eye care practice serving the greater
Baltimore and Washington, D.C. area staffed by a team of Ophthalmologists,
Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye
examinations for adults and children,
diagnosis and
treatment of cataracts including cataract surgery
and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as
LASIK, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease,
care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular
degeneration (AMD) and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as well as
contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and
optical services. Baltimore Washington Eye Center is conveniently located for
patients from Arbutus, Carney, Clarksville, Columbia, Dundalk, Edgemere, Essex,
Ellicott City, Ferndale, Glen Burnie, Kenwood, Laurel, Linthicum, Lutherville,
Millersville, Odenton Owings Mills, Reisterstown, Towson, Parkville,
Randallstown, Rivera Beach, Pasadena, Severna Park, South Gate and Woodlawn
Maryland.