Posted by: Mann Eye in Eye Health
The Texas heat is back in full swing, and the sun is bearing down on us… again! On top of staying cool, sun safety should be a top priority this season.
July is UV Safety Month, and just like it’s important to wear sunscreen every day to protect your skin from damaging UV radiation, at Mann Eye we want to make sure you’re protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays as well. We broke down the top four reasons why wearing the right grade of sunglasses is important. It’s never too late to start developing suncare habits!
1. Delay the development of cataracts and/or glaucoma
Study after study shows that UV rays act as catalysts for the development of cataracts and glaucoma. When our eyes absorb the ultraviolet light from the sun, the rays can damage the tissue that makes up our eye’s natural lens, retina, optic nerve and more. This damage, while treatable, can create problems that interfere with your daily life.
By wearing sunglasses that protect against both UVA and UVB rays, you can minimize that damage and delay the need for cataract and/or glaucoma treatment. We want your eyes healthy! Help them stay that way by shopping for (and wearing!) the right sunglasses.
2. Protect retinas from age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
As mentioned above, the sun can cause all sorts of damage to the inner workings of your eyes. By damaging the part of your retina responsible for clear vision in your central line of sight, UV rays can aid in the development of age-related macular degeneration. As it progresses, AMD can cause vision loss in the middle of your vision, making just about everything you do difficult and frustrating due to decreased vision.
When you’re shopping for sunglasses, look for ones that have certified 100% UV protection. Luckily, this doesn’t necessarily mean they need to be expensive, as better quality protection does not necessarily correlate with price tag. But if you have questions about which sunglasses are best for you, the experts at our optical shop would be delighted to help.
3. Keep sand, dirt, wind and more out of your eyes
Of course, when you wear sunglasses not only are you creating a barrier between your eyes and the sun, you’re also protecting your eyes from dirt, sand, wind and more tiny debris that might be blowing around in the air. This can help minimize damage to your cornea and the whites of your eyes such as scratches or irritation, thereby minimizing risk of infection. No one likes waking up to dry, red, itchy eyes, and by wearing sunglasses outside, you are helping prevent potential damage to your eyes. This keeps future you happy and healthy!
4. After a procedure at Mann Eye, sunglasses promote better and faster healing
If you’ve just had a procedure on your eyes, whether it’s LASIK, cataract surgery, refractive lens exchange or something else, you definitely want to make sure that your eyes heal correctly. You can ensure that the sun doesn’t get in the way of your post-operative healing by wearing sunglasses whenever you go outside. No matter if you’re gardening, spending time by the pool, hanging out at the local farmer’s market or anything else, making sure your eyes are shades from the sun is one of the best things you can do on a daily basis to keep your eyes safe and healthy!
Let the experts help!
Do you need help picking out the right glasses for your lifestyle? Or maybe you’re ready to pursue LASIK so you can ditch your regular glasses and start wearing sunglasses as often as you’d like? The experts at Mann Eye are here to help! We’d love to hear from you, no matter your needs and concerns. To schedule an appointment, you can call us at 800.MY.VISION or contact us online.