Submitted by administrator on
July is being promoted as an Ultra Violet Safety month. As we have been bathed in heatwave extravaganza weather lasting weeks and not mere days, the sun safety message can all to easily be swallowed up in skin protection when working or playing in direct sunlight.
The message still needs to be spread about UV safety for your delicate eyes. UV-A and UV-B rays can present serious harm to vision both short term and long term.
Long term exposure to these rays can expedite and contribute to age - related macular degeneration and cataracts. Of the eighteen million people currently being treated for cataracts, it's estimated that 5% may be as a result of UV exposure. Short term UV exposure will usually present as photokeratitis which can make your eyes uncomfortable, irritated and photo-sensitive. Like sunburn to the skin this is only temporary however the repeated exposure can cause retinal damage and this is the danger zone for cataracts.
Protection is the message. Prevention is better than cure.
Look for Trivex material based sun shades with a lens that blocks out 99 to 100 per cent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation and that screen out 75 to 90 per cent of visible light.