Monday, June 22, 2009

Sun Protection is Important for Your Eyes Too!

A recent survey conducted by the American Optometric Association shows that while many people are now concerned about UV protection for their skin, many still consider sunglasses mere fashion statements!

“Overexposure to UV rays has been linked to a variety of problems, including age-related cataracts and degeneration of the cornea,” said Gregory W. Good, O.D., PhD, optometrist and AOA’s UV Protection Expert. “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.”

The following top five tips from the AOA can help prevent eye damage from exposure to UV radiation:

~ Wear protective eyewear any time the eyes are exposed to UV rays, even on cloudy days.
~ Look for quality sunglasses or contact lenses that offer good protection. Sunglasses or protective contact lenses should block out 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.

You know how powerful the Kittian sun is and the effects are cumulative!

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