Elisabeth S. Swan, O.D.

It’s summer, school’s out and outdoor vacations are starting. And because wearing sunglasses is vital to the preservation of your sight, we are reminding you again to put on eye protection whenever you go outdoors.

Regardless of your age, ultraviolet (UV) radiation can damage various parts of the eye and also the skin around the eyes. UVA’s are longwave ultraviolet rays from the sun. UVB’s are shortwave. They both penetrate the atmosphere and cause cataracts, skin cancer and more. Help children establish good protection habits early in life to avoid problems later.

Some contact lenses have UV protection. But don’t get too comfortable if you wear treated lenses. The website for the Mayo Clinic points out that you still need to wear sunglasses for full UV protection outdoors. Wearing a sun hat extends the sphere of protection.

Be sure you buy UV-protection that blocks 99-100% of UVA and UVB rays. And regardless of what others are wearing this summer, buy larger glasses which will cover more of the eye area. Wraparounds offer especially good protection.

Additional features you may wish to consider include polycarbonate lenses which resist impact and polarized or photochromic lenses which reduce glare.

And to beat that forgetting thing? Here’s our suggestion: put your sunglasses and a hat near the door or near the car and house keys. If they’re easy to grab as you go out the door, you’ll increase your chances of remembering.

Many people think that sunglasses are just for summer. Well, that’s not entirely correct and we’d like to encourage you to start a new habit: wearing sunglasses whenever you are outdoors.

Why? First of all, weather can change. If you leave the house without your sunglasses on an overcast day you’re stuck if the sun comes out. Second, ultraviolet rays are ultraviolet rays no matter what the temperature is outside. So, even on a chilly clear day, your eyes need protection from UV-A and UV-B rays. Third, reflected light from snow or water can interfere with vision.

As with any good habit, the payoff is linked to consistent practice. Long-term exposure to the sun’s damaging rays contributes to serious vision problems later in life: retinal problems, cataracts, growths and cancers on or near the eyes. The earlier you form the habit of routinely wearing sunglasses when you leave the house, the greater your chances of avoiding complications as you age. Think of it as an old-age pension that you pay into every time you wear your sunglasses.

Sunglasses are not just for adults, either. Children and teenagers have two additional points of vulnerability. They spend more time outdoors and their retinas are more susceptible to ultraviolet radiation.

The earlier you can establish your children’s habit of putting on sunglasses, the greater the chances that practice will continue into adulthood. And when they are in their sixties, they’ll thank you.

Spring is here and along with it plenty of garden activity. Did you know that garden-related accidents account for over one-fifth of all penetrating eye injuries?

We think of gardens as places of peace and beauty. But take a moment to think about the activities we perform to keep them that way. First, there are the power lawn mowers. Small stones and sticks can be picked up by the blades and thrown at high speed causing a devastating eye injury.

Lawn trimmers have a nylon cord which revolves at high speed and can send small pieces of nylon, bits of dirt and other hard debris flying, potentially causing lacerations or infections. Some can be severe enough to cause blindness.

Applying grass seed, weed killers, fertilizers, and other powders on a windy day can cause burns and irritation to the eyes when these products become airborne. And if you work around bushes and plants, your face is likely to brush against branches and vegetation that can scratch the eye.

We don’t want to discourage you from the pleasure of tending your garden. But we encourage you to make a habit of wearing safety goggles when you do, especially for these risky activities.

Here are a few guidelines for keeping your eyes safe while working in the garden:

1. Wear dark grey sunglasses to cut out cataract-causing radiation
2. Wear protective safety goggles made of polycarbonate, available at hardware stores
3. Wear a wide-brimmed hat to reduce ultraviolet radiation
4. Don’t depend on ordinary glasses for full safety protection

Keep your eyes safe so you can use them to admire your beautiful garden.

According to eyewear forecasters, the final word in fashion this year is glamour.

You can expect to see glitzy shapes such as angular and oversized frames with sassy decorations. Cutout shapes, jewels, and even lace will make an appearance. You’ll be able to choose a lens color that matches a frame or go for mirrored or tinted treatments.

Influences from the natural world include the look of bamboo, wood, horn and even leather.

And don’t forget that wearing your sunglasses whenever you go outdoors is always in fashion!

Come by and see the new fashions in eyewear at Family Vision Clinic. Mention you saw this article and receive 30% off your next purchase!

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