subject: UV Rays' Effect on Eye [print this page] UV Rays' Effect on Eye UV Rays' Effect on Eye
You must often hear that UV (ultraviolet) rays can damage your skin. These rays can enhance the growth of cancer cells which can be deadly threat for your life. However, do you know that it is not only skin damage you can get from the burning sun? UV rays can also damage your eyes so to speak.
One thing you should know is that when you are looking at the sun, the sharpness of ultraviolet may cause some problems in your eyes. The UV rays can generate cataracts and degenerative changes in the cornea. The initial symptoms of eyes exposed to the sun are blurred vision, irritation, red eyes, watery eyes, loss of sight for a moment, and in certain cases of blindness.
As the UV radiation can burn the skin, it can damage the eye as well. Remember, especially for young people, that the eyes also need protection just like skin needs sunscreen or sunblock. A simple way to protect eyes is to wear a hat so that your eyes are protected from direct sunlight. Or, you can wear glasses that can dampen the strength of UV radiation.
UV radiation is dangerous when it touches the retina. Transparent lenses enable the sun rays or heat to go through to retina. Children and adolescents have more transparent lenses compared to adults. Plus, they spend more time outside the home that they have more risks for eye problems caused by UV radiation. However, not many people are aware of the dangers of UV rays are to the eye.
A survey conducted by AOA (Optometrik Association of America) in 2007 found that 40% of Americans do not think UV protection as one of the factors taken into consideration for wearing sunglasses. They do not consider that the lens has the ability to absorb UV light. Thus AOA gives some tips for choosing sunglasses as follow.
Firstly, always wear eye protection whenever you go under the sun, regardless in cloudy days. Secondly, if you buy glasses, then buy ones with a UV protection. The glasses must have 99% protection from UV radiation-A and UV-B. Also, the glasses must be able to capture light 75 to 90%.
In addition, make sure the lens spectacles fitted with a color and free of distortion. Buy a lens that is grayed out. It can reduce the intensity of light without affecting color change object. It also brings more natural color. Encourage children and teens wear sunglasses since they tend to spend more time under the sun.
