As we enter July, people across Northeastern Pennsylvania take advantage of clear days to bask in the sun. Some amount of sun exposure is good for our bodies, sleep cycles, and minds. But radiation from the sun in the form of UVA and UVB rays also leads to sunburn, skin cancer, premature skin aging, and a variety of eye problems. Fittingly, July is UV Safety Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to talk about protecting your eyes.
Excessive unprotected exposure to UV rays can increase the risk of the following issues:
- Cataracts
- Eye tumors
- Eye growths
- Snow-blindness/sunburned eyes
Fortunately, there’s an easy way to mitigate the risk!
Wear UVA/UVB-blocking sunglasses outside. Purchase sunglasses that provide 100% UVA and UVB protection. Everyone should wear these sunglasses while outside: adults, babies and children, senior citizens – people of all ages. Doing so will prevent the problems listed above. Adding a wide-brimmed hat will increase your protection from UV rays. And although it’s important for parents to set the course of protection early on with sunglasses for babies, take note that it’s never too late to start protecting your eyes. If you are an adult or senior citizen who has been lax about wearing sunglasses in the past, use this month to commit to wearing them every time you go outside. It will be good for your eyes no matter what.
It’s important to wear sunglasses year-round. Although the UV rays entering the atmosphere are the most intense in the U.S. during the spring and summer, that doesn’t mean these rays go away at other times of the year. They may be less intense, but they are still bad for your eyes. UV rays also reflect off of snow and water, so be sure to wear sunglasses for winter sports and water recreation.
Wear sunglasses on cloudy days as well. The cloud cover blocks out only a certain percentage of UV radiation, not all of it.
Tanning beds also expose your eyes and body to UV. Consider avoiding tanning beds altogether for better skin health, but be sure to wear the proper eyewear if you do choose to tan.
The experienced eye doctors at Northeastern Eye Institute are personally committed to improving the vision and eye health of each of our patients. To arrange a consultation or speak with us on the phone about your vision needs, please call us at 570-342-3145. We have multiple office locations across Northeastern Pennsylvania, including Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Hazelton.