July is UV Safety Awareness Month
Summer activities are all fun and games, but don’t overlook the importance of guarding your eyes against UV rays. A great pair of sunglasses will protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, which can be present on cloudy days, too!
The Importance of Shielding Your Eyes
According to Hopkins Medicine, UV light ages all structures of the eye. Corneal damage, cataracts and macular degeneration are all possible chronic effects of UV exposure and can ultimately lead to decreased vision.
They state that it is best to avoid outdoor activities between the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when sunlight is strongest. You can even get a sunburn on a foggy day. Wearing sunglasses with adequate protection against UV (both large in frame and with wraparound protection or side protection) is just as important as wearing a hat with a wide brim.
Sunlight exposure and UV exposure have been found to be associated with cataracts. This damage is irreversible. The only treatment for cataracts that is affecting activities of daily living is surgery. Cataract surgery at Carter Eye Center can help you see clearly.
Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun
The FDA gives some tips to protect your eyes.
- Choose sunglasses with a UV400 rating or “100% UV protection” on the label.
Do not mistake dark-tinted sunglasses as having UV protection. - Check to see if your tinted glasses have UV protection.
- Consider large, wraparound-style frames, which may provide more UV protection because they cover the entire eye socket.
- Know that pricier sunglasses don’t ensure greater UV protection.
Services at Carter Eye Center
At Carter Eye Center, we offer a variety of sunglasses to help you look good while catching those rays this summer! We also offer services that can help your vision improve. We offer comprehensive eye care, LASIK, presbyopia treatment, cataract surgery, dry eye treatments, pterygium services, glaucoma care and more.
Comprehensive Eye Care
Even if you feel like your vision is “normal”, an annual eye exam is vital to maintaining the health of your eyes, as well as your overall health, for a lifetime. A thorough annual exam can help identify eye diseases like glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts, but it is also able to assist in the early detection of conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. The earlier these diseases are detected, the earlier treatment can be started.
Pterygium
A pterygium is a non-cancerous dense, fibrous growth on top of the clear, thin membrane over the white part of the eye, called the sclera. They are caused by overexposure to the earth’s natural elements (dust and wind) and are more commonly seen in people who spend a great deal of time outdoors. Symptoms include a gritty feeling, burning or itching, foreign body sensation and visual disturbances.
LASIK
Freedom from the hassles of glasses and contacts is something many people think about daily. If you wear visual aids, you may already know how frustrating they can be.
LASIK is a laser vision correction procedure that provides you with the visual freedom you’ve always wanted. Here at Carter Eye Center, Dr. Carter performs LASIK and changes our patients’ lives!
Cataract Surgery
Cataracts commonly occur as a result of aging. You may be more prone to developing cataracts if they run in your family, if you spend a lot of time in the sun without protecting your eyes, or if you have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes.
There is no way to prevent cataract development, as they are an almost inevitable part of the aging process.
Seeing is Believing at Carter Eye Center
From an annual eye exam to cataract surgery, we would love to help you with your eye care needs. Schedule an appointment with our experts!
