News At-A-Glance
Brighton, Colorado
Focus on Vision : Protect Your Peepers!
Article Offered By Dr. Kellie D. Stennis, OD, PC,
Family Eyecare of Brighton
With Spring right around the corner, we look forward to many outdoor activities from picnics to skiing and gardening. While most remember the sun block and a hat, they fail to shield their eyes from the sun’s harmful UV radiation.
Ultraviolet damage to the eyes is cumulative over your lifetime and can lead to many potentially blinding conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Children and fair skinned, light-eyed individuals are at an especially high risk. Sadly, only 8% of parents realize the importance of protective eyewear for their children even though youngsters typically spend more time outdoors than adults.
Wearing quality sunglasses protects the eyes as well as the surrounding skin and can reduce your chances of certain eyelid cancers. They also decrease squinting which can cause fine lines and wrinkles. Appropriate sunglasses should block 100% of UV radiation. Another option to consider is polarized lenses which significantly reduce glare associated with water and snow. They are especially beneficial for driving, skiing, and fishing. Some 85% of the sun’s harmful rays are reflected from these surfaces directly into the eyes
It is important to protect your eyes from the sun’s damaging UV rays. People of all ages should take this precaution; the earlier we start the better. Together with good overall health and comprehensive annual eye examinations, we can enjoy a lifetime of good vision.