Eco-Sunglasses: Keeping Your Eyes Healthy and Improving the World at the Same Time
September 30, 2010 Kyriaki (Sandy) Venetis Beautiful eyes are subjective - whether it has to do with color, shape, or something else - everyone has an opinion. Though beyond looks, our eyesight is one of our most important assets, which doesn’t make the sun our friend.
Image courtesy of davidicke.com.
Experts are finding that ultraviolet light can cause a number of short-term and long-term ocular problems.
Dr. Troy L. Bedinghaus - a board certified optometric physician, who owns and operates Lakewood Family Eye Care - says, “Studies show that ultraviolet radiation can accelerate the development of cataracts.
“The bright sun can also cause pinguecula and pterygium, which are benign growths on the surface of the eye. Ultraviolet radiation can also cause cancer of the eyelids and the skin surrounding the eyes.”
Dr. Bedinghaus adds that, “Ultraviolet radiation can also cause photokeratitis, which is a temporary but painful burning of the cornea. Photokeratitis often occurs while water or snow skiing without sun protection. Studies are also showing that long-term exposure to the sun’s harmful rays may contribute to the development of macular degeneration.”
As a preventative measure, he suggests, “At the very least, you should look for sunglasses that block at least 99 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation, and screen out 75 to 90 percent of viable light.”