Physician warns solar harm might trigger imaginative and prescient loss – methods to defend your eyes
With summer season solstice formally kicking off the summer season season, you’re in all probability trying ahead to spending as a lot time outside as attainable.
While sunscreen is a should throughout this time, a physician has urged individuals to pay the identical consideration to their eyes.
Dr Susan Sarangapani at OCL Vision stated: “We all know how damaging prolonged sun exposure can be to skin.
“But while many of us wouldn’t dream of heading to the beach or going for a run in strong sunshine without applying SPF cream, few give a thought to protecting our eyes.
“This is a mistake, as the Ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight can be very harmful to the eyes, especially when staring directly at it.”
READ MORE: Eye health: The nutrients that can protect against ‘harmful effects’ in summer
Worryingly, UV publicity can set off cataracts, vision loss and even blindness over time, the physician warned.
“It can also put you at risk of developing cancer in the fragile skin immediately around the eye,” she added.
Fortunately, that is the place a pair of sun shades can step in and supply the required safety on your eyes.
Dr Sarangapani stated: “The most effective way of protecting eyes from sun damage is a good pair of sunglasses.
“In the summer months, they are an essential piece of outdoor kit and should be worn when spending time outside, particularly when the sun is shining bright.”
Another key factor is to not look instantly on the solar as this may trigger issues, starting from sunburn of the cornea to irreversible harm to your retina.
While shopping for sun shades doesn’t look like an issue within the twenty first century the place just about each store gives their very own choice, the physician really helpful looking for the next to make sure optimum safety.
She stated: “The most important thing to check is that the sunglasses offer protection against harmful UV-A and UV-B rays.
“Given that sun exposure can be very damaging to the sensitive skin around the eyes – an area where it’s hard to apply SPF without getting cream into your eyes – it’s important that the lenses are big enough to cover this area too.
“In addition, make sure you keep your sunglasses in a case or soft pouch when you’re not wearing them, as they may become scratched over time.”
When it involves the make, reasonably than going funky and daring, the physician suggested contemplating your way of life.
Wraparound kinds might be nice for individuals who get pleasure from sports activities like tennis, biking and operating, whereas polarised lenses might assist cease you from evident when swimming.