Going Out? UVR Filters Protect Your Eyes

What role does ultraviolet (UVR) play in the development of ocular conditions such as cataracts, UVR keratitis, pterygium, - a triangular fold of growing membrane that may extend over the cornea from the white of the eye? Everyone knows that ultraviolet (UV) radiation comes from the sun, but it can also come from tanning beds. There are three types of rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC. Though UVC is absorbed by the ozone layer, UVA and UVB do reach the earth’s surface and over time can damage your eyes. The people most at risk are those who spend a lot of time outdoors. Being outside for only 30 minutes on a summer day can give you UVR keratitis. UVR keratitis is often painful because it damages the epithelium (outer most layer of the cornea), where the majority of the corneal nerve fibers are; it may also present mild symptoms such as a sand-in-the-eye sensation. Milder cases heal soon after going indoors. Reflection from water surface is another means of developing UVR keratitis.The crystalline lens and the cornea are the primary UVR filters of the eye. High-intensity short wavelength (blue) visible light can damage retinal receptor cells and that UVR is a risk factor in cataract development. There are good UVR filters available in ophthalmic lenses and sunglasses and several contact lens companies offer UV protection blocking up to 95 percent of UVA and UVB radiation. Wear sunglasses or other protective eyewear when outside. Make sure your eyewear blocks at least 99 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. Avoid sunglasses that fail to state how much radiation they blocks. Look for gray, brown, or green lenses, which reduce light transmission more than other colors. Wrap styles offer good side protection, but stay away from those that distort vision. If you’re not sure what to buy visit an optical store, where eye care professionals can advise you. Children, who tend to be outside more than adults, seldom wear sunglasses, but this simple piece of protection may prevent major eye health problems later on. Wearing a wide brimmed ballcap or other hat will block rays from above and reduce eyestrain.If you enjoy skiing, snowboarding, boating made sure your lenses are extra-dark to reduce glare from the water and snow, even on cloudy days. Increased life expectancy, increased outdoor activity and decreased ozone thickness all contribute to an increase in our lifetime dose of UVR today.