When learning about how to protect your eyes from UV rays, first it is important to know what a UV rays are. UV rays are from the sun and cannot be seen by humans. There are three types of UV rays, A, B, and C, C has the highest energy and are considered to be the most harmful for your eyes. Each type of UV ray causes something different so it is important to be cautious of all of them.
The best practices to follow to best protect yourself from UV rays are:
Wear a Hat
While it may seem simple, having the extra shade and cover is helpful for protecting your eyes from UV. Not only are you covering your eyes but a hat also helps protect your face from UV rays as well.
According to skincancer.com hats can block almost 50% of UV rays from your eyes and eyelids.
Wear the Right Pair of Sunglasses
Sunglasses should be worn as yet another layer of protection from the UV rays. People tend to go for cheaper sunglasses that they find in the store. The problem with this is that most of the cheaper sunglasses do not protect from UV rays. When looking for a new pair of sunglasses be sure that the glasses are advertising that they have UV-blocking technology.
According to eyesiteonwellness.com, some sunglasses not only have the UV lenses but also frames that enhance protection.
Put on Sunscreen (safe for eyes)
Sunscreen is the best anti-aging treatment you can give yourself. Sunscreen protects mostly from UVB rays, which are the rays that cause sunburns and more. Using a sunscreen that is safe for use on face and eyes is important for protecting your eyelids from UV.
Putting sunscreen on your eyes can protect you from diseases that come from UV.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, UV damage induces dryness, wrinkles, accentuated skin furrows, sagging, loss of elasticity and mottled pigmentation. UV light is associated with skin cancers including squamous cell carcinomas, basal cell carcinomas, and cutaneous melanoma.
Know Your Environment
Another important way to protect your eyes from UV rays is to know the environment you are in. Whether you are on the beach or in the mountains full of snow there is still a risk of UV. It is important to keep up with these practices throughout all climates.
UV rays not only can be harmful during the hottest part of the day, full of direct sunlight, but are also extremely harmful on cloudy days. However, being in tropical areas close to the equator is more of a danger, the higher in altitude you get the higher your risk you are to being exposed to UV rays.
UV Repercussions
The harms that can come from not protecting yourself from UV rays can come in many degrees. Because each UV ray type are different the effect they have on you can change. According to All About Vision, overexposure to the sun's UVB radiation also is associated with a number of eye problems, including pinguecula, pterygium and photokeratitis ("snow blindness").
Being vulnerable to UVA rays can cause for the rays to reach your eyes, but also go through your cornea to other influential parts of your eye, such as the lense. Which can result in the development of cataracts.
Along with these practices, it is important to note that eye health is important to keep up with and maintain. There are tips on how to keep your eyes healthy that you should be aware of to ensure you are looking after your eyes.
Before making a decision on what kind of glasses would best suit you be sure to start with an eye exam. Make sure your glasses prescription is up to date to have the most enjoyable time in the sun. Medical Arts Eye Clinic is dedicated to providing you with the best ophthalmology care in the Auburn-Opelika area. Contact us today at (334) 821-3838 to schedule your next eye exam!