UV RADIATION

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The Eyes Have It, Too!Protect your family’s eyes from

dangerous exposure to UV rays.

By Lana Turnbull

Whether the family is around the pool, atthe baseball game, or just spending timetogether in the backyard, most parents knowthey should be vigilant about using sunscreento help prevent the damaging effects thesun’s UV rays have on skin. But, should you beworried about your family’s eyes? Actually,extended exposure to the sun’s UV rays hasbeen linked to serious eye damage, includ-ing cataracts, macular degeneration, andother conditions.

To protect your family’s eyes from harmfulsolar radiation, experts recommend sun-glasses that block 100 percent of UV raysand absorb most HEV (high-energy visible)

radiation – and that’s for every member ofthe family from babies to seniors. Chooseyour frames wisely, too. Frames that are close-fitting and wrap around the side of the faceprovide the best protection because theyhelp to limit the sunlight that reaches eyesfrom above and the sides.

The amount of UV protection sunglassesprovide is unrelated to the color and dark-ness of the lenses. A light amber-colored lenscan provide the same UV protection as adark gray lens. If you are not sure of theamount of UV protection provided by yoursunglasses, your eye care professional canverify if the lenses you choose will block 100percent of UV rays

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According to Kirk R. Jeffreys, III, M.D., Ophthal-mologist, with EyeCare Professionals in Jackson,the more time you spend outdoors, the greaterthe risk to your vision, if you don’t take precautions.

“Anybody who spends time outdoors is at risk ofreceiving damaging UV rays to their eyes,” notesJeffreys. “But, there are some factors that can putyou at an even higher risk, such as where you live.The closer you are to the equator, the higher thelevels of UV radiation – also, the higher the altitude,the greater the risk. And, you need to rememberthat when the sun is at its highest between 10:00am and 2:00 pm, and when you are in open spaceswith highly reflective surfaces, like sand, water,and snow, the UV risk is higher. Additionally, somemedications such as birth control pills, diuretics andtranquilizers, can increase your body’s sensitivityto UV radiation.”

Dr. Jeffrey’s suggests that in addition to a goodpair of sunglasses, you can help keep UV rays fromyour eyes by wearing a wide-brimmed hat or cap.This goes for the kids as well.

Since the sun damage to the eyes is cumulative,and happens over your lifetime, the best way tomake sure no problems are developing is to seeyour doctor.

“If you are having trouble with your vision,” explainsDr. Jeffreys, “you should see your Ophthalmologistfor a checkup right away. Otherwise, I recommendthat individuals under the age of twenty have aneye exam every year. Ages twenty to sixty, youshould see your eye care professional every other

year, and then after age sixty, annually. It’s im-portant to note that 50 percent of our exposureto UV rays occurs by the time we are eighteenyears old. That’s another reason to be sure we are

adequately protecting our children’s eyes.”

Remember, UV rays are not affected by cloudcover, so wear your sunglasses even on cloudydays, year round, and since UV rays can be re-flected from buildings, roadways, and other sur-faces, continue to wear sun protection for youreyes when you are in the shade.

By understanding the serious effects of sun ex-posure on your family’s eyes and taking a fewsimple precautions, you can help to protect themfrom the real and ongoing threat posed by UVradiation. ¶

Kirk R. Jeffreys, III, M.D., is a member of the professional staff of

EyeCare Professionals, in Jackson. A native of Jackson, Mississippi,

Dr. Jeffreys received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the

University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson and com-

pleted his Internal Medicine Internship and Ophthalmology

Residency at University of Mississippi Medical Center. He also

completed the Basic Sciences Course in Ophthalmology from

Harvard University. Jeffreys is Board Certified by the American

Board of Ophthalmology.

To protect your eyesoutdoors, alwayschoose sunglasseswith 100 percentUV protection.

SpecialProtectionfor LittleEyes

By Missy Spell

Children are at special risk fromthe harmful effects of UV rays,since their eyes do not have thesame ability as adults to protectthem from UV radiation and gen-erally they spend much moretime outdoors. So, it’s especiallyimportant to be sure that yourchildren’s eyes are protectedfrom the sun with good qualitysunglasses.

According to Dr. Jimbo Bearden,of Professional Eye Care in Madi-son and Canton, “It is never tooearly to start your little one in sun-glasses, but parents may noticethat in the first year it is hard ifnot impossible to get your childto keep his or her sunglasses on.If that is the case with your child,a shade on the car seat or tinton the car windows offer someprotection.”

Sunhats, caps and visors, canalso help shield your child’s eyesfrom the sun’s harmful rays.

“When purchasing sunglassesfor your child you should be sureto choose a lens that has UVprotection,” Dr. Bearden adds.

“All sun glasses are not createdequal so be sure to ask your eyecare professional which lensesare best for your child.”

There are a number of reputablecompanies that make highquality sunglasses for babies andchildren. Ray Ban, for example,carries a line for children asyoung as one. Whatever themake, most experts agree thatif possible, you should choosepolarized and polycarbonatelenses – polarized lenses reduceglare and polycarbonate lensesprovide extra damage resist-ance.

Copyrighted material presented with publisher permission from Well-Being, May/June 2011.