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Danger of ultraviolet radiation to eyes

UV radiation may take years to show its effects, but they can be devastating http://onlineathens.com/magazine/2013-04-29/uv-radiation-may-take-years-show-its-effects-they-can-be-devastating By APRIL BURKHART y, April 29, 2013  Playing outside is all fun and games until someone loses their eyesight due to ultraviolet radiation.

Whether spending the day at the beach, hiking a trail at a national park or hanging outside with friends during at a cookout, people are exposed to eye-damaging UV radiation that damages surface tissues and internal structures, such as the cornea and lens.

Short-term exposure to UV radiation from daily activities, including reflections off of snow, pavement, and other surfaces, can burn the front surface of the eye, similar to a sunburn on the skin. The cumulative effects of spending long hours in the sun without adequate eye protection also can increase the likelihood of developing eye disorders, such as cataracts, skin cancer around the eyelids and Pterygium, an abnormal but usually non-cancerous growth in the corner of the eye that can grow over the cornea, partially blocking vision; it may need surgery to remove.

“I treat these (eye conditions) on a daily basis, but it’s difficult to say there is a direct casual relationship (between them and) UV radiation,” said Dr. Walter A Sams IV with Athens Eye Doctors and Surgeons LLC. “These are chronic conditions that develop slowly. However, UV radiation is a known risk factor for these common eye diseases.”

A less commonly known disease that can be directly attributed to UV exposure is solar keratitis, which may develop from prolonged exposure to reflected sunlight from snow, water or sand, but is relatively rare, especially when wearing protective lenses or sunglasses.

“UV protective lenses are the best source of prevention against UV radiation,” Sams said. “Most dark sunglasses absorb most of the incident ultraviolet light.”

To gain the greatest amount of UV protection, Sams suggests a combination of sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays and a wide-brimmed hat. People who wear contact lenses also would be wise to invest in UV-blocking contacts.

May 3, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, health, radiation