PROTECTING YOUR EYES FROM SUMMER SUN
03 January 2007 - Duke University

Prolonged exposure to the ultraviolet rays in sunlight can cause serious eye damage. As we head into the summer season, an expert recommends some simple and effective ways to protect your eyes from UV rays.

As the weather warms up and we spend more time outside, the sun’s ultraviolet rays pose a greater risk, not just to our skin but also to our eyes. Dr. Eric Postel, an associate professor of ophthalmology in the Vitreoretinal Service at Duke University Eye Center, says UV rays may damage eye tissue and cause serious vision problems. He says the best safeguard is prevention. “Protect yourself from the sun using hats, sunblock and sunglasses. We know that UV light can cause damage and leads to conditions such as cancer and cataracts. The other effects are less well understood, for example macular degeneration, but the simplest thing to do is to try and prevent it.” Postel recommends sunglasses that block 100 percent of UV light. Wraparound styles can provide additional protection, and any lens color is equally effective. And don’t forget impact-resistant sunglasses for the kids. “The damage you receive from UV light is cumulative. Certainly, children who are outside and playing much more frequently than adults are more susceptible to sun damage, and we’re much more aware of that nowadays than when I was a child.” I’m Cabell Smith for MedMinute.

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