In Cayman we are constantly exposed to the sun. Adults and children enjoy many outdoor activities year round. We need to be aware of the ocular risks and protect our eyes from its harmful ultraviolet, or UV rays.
UV radiation exposure increases the risk of eye diseases such as:
Cataracts: this is a clouding of the lens inside the eye which leads to blurred vision. It can lead to blindness if not removed if and when necessary. A cataract can develop over the years, but long term UV exposure can add damage.
Pterygium/Pinguecula: a benign growth on the white part of the eye and is very common in the islands due to the sun exposure and being near the ocean. It can begin in the teenage years. Surgical removal is necessary with fast progressing ones to avoid it covering the eye’s pupil and loss of vision.
Cancer: eye cancers like squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma develop over time but increased UV exposure can create damage that increases the risk.
Photokeratitis: this is a sunburn of the cornea. This results from excessive exposure over a short period of time. It is treatable but can be very painful. Solar retinopathy- prolonged exposure to the sun’s radiation can cause damage to the eye’s retina. Watching a solar eclipse or staring at the sun can lead to solar retinopathy.
Things that make us more vulnerable to the sun’s UV rays include: certain antibiotics, other medications, like Accutane, oral contraceptives or hormones, light colored eyes, Retin-A (many skin creams and skin cleansers have Retin-A), certain health conditions and diseases like autoimmune diseases, occupations that require long hours of sun exposure, for example fishermen or farmers.
Tips to help protect your eyes are: wear wide brimmed hats outdoors, wear sunglasses with good coverage outdoors when sunny and overcast, (the label should state “100 percent UV protection” or “UV400”). This matters more than the darkness of the lens, wear sunglasses when driving, do not stare at the sun. UV damage to the eyes is a cumulative effect over a person’s lifetime. Therefore, it is important we start protecting our eyes from an early age in all light conditions. The earlier the better.
Dr. Natalie Da Silva is a practicing optometrist based in the Cayman Islands.
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It is important to know that medication you take,including some supplements and herbs can affect your sun sensitivity. But….
People,use common sense. Without sun light and natural light exposure there would be no life anywhere on this planet.
Read this Mercola article,Common myths about sunglasses that hurt you,use your common sense and everything is going to be allright. Moderation is the key. Do not overshield your eyes,it impacts your entire body’ health..
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/09/16/sunglasses-myths.aspx
I want to add one more comment here,since we are talking about SUN that powers all life processes on earth.
It is probably imbedded in you brain that the cause of melanoma is sun exposure.
My friend’s wife was recently diagnosed with melanoma. It was accidentally found by her husband on a sole of her foot,between her toes. It did not look anything like one would think melanoma should look. I doubt that place on her body was ever exposed to sunlight. They live near Arctic circle.
Of course there are many types of melanoma..but
sometime ignorance is bliss. The less we know,the better we sleep and longer we live.