Looking after your eyesight: Stay away from the glare

Eye care should be a vital part of our overall health regime. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun damages not only the skin of the eyelid but also the cornea lens.

"Extended exposure to the sun's UV rays causes eye damage such as cataracts, macular degeneration, pingueculae and pterygia and photokeratitus that can cause temporary vision loss," says Dr Renee Thomas, ophthalmologist at Jebel Ali Hospital.

A cataract is cloudiness in the transparent crystalline lens of the eye that reduces vision and can lead to blindness.

Pingueculae is a yellowish, slightly raised thickening of the conjuctiva on the white part of the eye near the cornea while pterygia are benign (non-cancerous) growths, but contain blood vessels and form scar tissue on the eye.

As with pingueculae, prolonged exposure to UV rays from the sun plays a role in the formation of pterygia.

Never too late

Conditions such as photokeratitis or sunburn of the eyes develop due to poor eye care and can lead to temporary vision loss. Taking good care of our eyes is something we should all be doing continually, irrespective of age.

"It is never too late to start wearing sunglasses as they can protect against cataracts, especially in tropical countries," says Dr Ahmad Thottyil, GP ophthalmologist and group medical director at Gulf Healthcare International.

"New research shows the sun's high-energy visible (HEV) radiation, also called ‘blue light', may increase long-term risk of macular degeneration. People with low blood plasma levels of vitamin C and other antioxidants are at risk of retinal damage from HEV radiation," Dr Thomas adds.

Before you buy

So what do we look for when purchasing the eye-saving articles? "The best type of sunglasses are those that block out 100 per cent of UV rays and also absorb most HEV radiation," Dr Thomas says.

"Frames with a close-fitting wraparound style provide the best protection because they limit how much stray sunlight reaches your eyes from above and beyond the periphery of your sunglass lenses."

Dr Thottyil adds: "Well-known brands offer better protection from UV rays."

Lens colour plays a role too.

"Almost all sunglasses block a portion of HEV and UV rays, but some tints such as bronze, copper and reddish-brown lenses block more HEV rays than others. Always select sunglasses that are polarised and photochromic to reduce glare and help maintain clarity, thereby reducing the risks" Dr Thomas says.

Children

Children are just as much at risk. In fact, they may spend more time outdoors than adults and are therefore exposed to the damaging effects of the sun even more. Research shows that nearly 50 per cent of our lifetime exposure to UV rays may occur by age 18.

"Children, especially in tropical countries, should wear sunglasses on bright or even hazy days," Dr Thottyil says.

"The risk of damage to our eyes and skin from solar UV radiation is cumulative, which means the danger continues to grow as we spend time in the sun throughout our lifetime," Dr Thomas warns.

"Encourage your child to wear a hat on sunny days for increased protection.

"Insist on lenses that provide 100 per cent ultraviolet protection, to shield your eyes from the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays. Look for anti-fogging features such as double lenses, anti-fog coating and wide vents. Mirror coatings enhance the effectiveness of tinted lenses by reflecting sunlight so it doesn't penetrate the lens," she adds.

While skiing or snowboarding

It's not just the sun you need sunglasses to protect your eyes from. Skiers and snowboarders need special sunglasses as fresh snow reflects 80 per cent of UV rays, nearly doubling their exposure to solar radiation.

Ski goggles should protect the eyes and face from snow and ice, and should be large enough to cover half the face.

"Lenses used in ski goggles are frequently yellow-orange tinted as the colour enhances contrast, so you can see more clearly the shapes, objects and bumps in the snow," says Dr Renee Thomas, ophthalmologist at Jebel Ali Hospital. Rose is another good contrast-enhancing colour.

Where the UV levels are high

The following areas require special protection to prevent damage to your eyes:

Andrea Bailey is a UAE-based freelance writer