Risks Associated With Sun Exposure

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is an invisible component of sunlight that is most commonly known to cause sunburns and skin cancers. While some UV is filtered by the ozone layer, increasing amounts are reaching the earth as the ozone layer steadily diminishes. Because exposure to UV is cumulative, direct contact with sunlight for even short periods of time can cause several long-term eye health problems, many of which begin symptom-free.

To help reduce UV radiation damage to your eyes, consider the following tips:

• Beware of high sources of UV exposure in the workplace. The Canadian Center for Occupational Health & Safety indicates examples of workers at potential risk from exposure to UV radiation including outdoor workers, construction workers, paint and resin curers, plasma torch operators, welders, farmers, food and drink irradiators, hairdressers, laboratory workers, lighting technicians, lithographic and printing workers and police.
• Recognize sources of man-made ultraviolet radiation. Examples include various types of UV lamps, arc welding torches and mercury vapour lamps. In dental and medical practices, UV radiation can be used for killing bacteria, creating fluorescent effects, curing resins and phototherapy. Sun tanning booths also use UV radiation.
• Wear sunglasses, prescription or safety glasses with anti-UV coatings. Sunlight is by far the greatest source of UV radiation.

Exposure to its UVA and UVB rays, as well as man-made sources of UVC rays, can lead to long-term eye damage including:

• Age-related macular degeneration
• Cataracts
• Eyelid skin cancer
• Premature age spots around the eyes
• Tissue growths on the surface of the eye including pinguecula and pterygium, of which the latter can encroach on the corneal axis

If you wear corrective contact lenses, consider wearing UV-blocking contact lenses for an added layer of UV protection. Sunglasses are important, but aren’t always enough. Depending on the frame size, shape and position, as much as 45 per cent of UV rays can still reach the eyes of people wearing some sunglasses. Contact lenses with UV protection are an effective way to block light that gets in the sides and protects from harmful UV radiation reaching the cornea and into the eye. Not all contact lenses offer UV protection so check with your doctor of optometry to find out which ones are right for you.

Recognize symptoms of UV eye damage, including immediate pain, inflammation of the cornea and an aversion to light. UV burns are commonly known as welder’s flash, snow blindness, ground-glass eyeball, or flash burn, depending on the UV source. Should you experience these symptoms, see your doctor of optometry right away.

While the symptoms listed above indicate eye damage caused by UV exposure, many long-term problems caused by UV exposure are symptom-free. To learn about the UV damage your eyes may already have, visit one of our doctors of optometry for a thorough eye examination. Please visit us online at www.visionsourcenw.com for more information. 

Munch on these seasonal snacks and protect not only your eyes - but your overall health!

Summer is upon us, and that means more fresh fruits and vegetables are in season. It’s a great time to head outside and enjoy a picnic, or host a backyard BBQ – and it’s easy to make sure your meals are chock-full of nutrients that are good for you!

When we think about eating healthy, we might not think about the benefit foods can have on our vision and eye health. Our eyes are vascular, so much like your heart they rely on arteries to transport oxygen and nutrients. A healthy diet low in trans and saturated fats (a Mediterranean diet if you will) helps maintain healthy blood vessels, which keeps your eyes happy and healthy.

Below, we have identified six foods that you can incorporate into your daily diet that will keep your eyes and whole body healthy:

• Greens – Leafy greens such as spinach and kale, contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that are stored in the macula (part of the retina that acts as a natural sunblock from damaging light). By blocking blue light, which can be harmful to the retina, and helping to detect contrast, this powerful combo can help improve vision and make it last long term.
• Tomatoes – They’re packed with carotenoids, which include lycopene (an effective cancer-protecting antioxidant) and Vitamin C, helping to give power to this vision protecting fruit. When these antioxidants are found in the ocular tissues, research shows it helps prevent light-induced damage to the retina and other areas of the eye.
• Eggs – One egg a day keeps the eye problems away! In addition to being loaded with lutein and zeaxanthin, eggs pack a natural punch of Vitamin D, which can reduce your risk of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). They’re also rich in cysteine and sulphur, two components of glutathione, a protein that acts as an antioxidant for the lens of the eye and have also been found to protect fromcataract
• Fish – The fatty kind! Salmon for example is full of good for you omega 3 fatty acids, a proven aid in the prevention of AMD and a tool to help you battle dry eyes. If you’re not a fan of salmon – tuna, cod, haddock and sardines also contain these fats which are important for cellular health.
• Nuts & Seeds – These are full of Vitamin E, a vitamin essential to the cells in our eyes. By consuming one handful or an ounce of almonds or sunflower seeds, you’re getting about half your daily dose. For kid friendly options, peanut butter and wheat germ work just as well.
• ‘Orange foods’ – Carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, apricots, etc. – all packed with beta-carotene, which is converted by the body to Vitamin A. This antioxidant resists stress damage to the lens of the eye, helping in the prevention of cataracts and AMD.

For an added bonus, prepare your meals using olive oil when you can. It’s free of trans-fats, low in saturated fat and helps prevent the development of AMD.

By taking care of your whole body – your eyes will directly benefit. Book an appointment with one of our Doctors of Optometry at www.visionsourcenw.com to learn more.