RALEIGH -- Some of our best memories are time spent outdoors. And with warmer weather on the horizon, make sure you and your kids have the proper eye protection to keep you happy and healthy.
The World Health Organization has estimated that 80 percent of lifetime exposure to UV is received before the age of 19. And early and prolonged exposure can lead to serious eye health consequences, including macular degeneration and cataract formation.
According to MyEyeDr., "macular degeneration, which affects the central retina and macular, can cause the central part of your vision to become blurry. Prevention of macular degeneration by wearing sunglasses is extremely important, as it is a leading cause of vision loss for Americans age 65 and older. Exposure to UV rays can also cause the early formation of cataracts, a clouding of the eye's natural lens. This issue impacts more than 22 million Americans and, untreated, can lead to blindness."
They go on to say that many people do not realize that their eyes can become sunburned after a day of high sun exposure.
"Sunburn of the eye or photokeratitis, causes intense pain and several days of blurry vision. The more intense the sun environment – lake, beach, snow – the greater the risk of photokeratitis," they add.
So MyEyeDr. offers these tips on how to find the best sunglasses:
- Purchase sunglasses from a reputable eye care provider who can ensure sunglasses offer 100 percent UV protection
- Consider polarized lenses that reduce glare and eye strain
- Try wraparound styles, these protect the whole eye and the skin around it
They also encourage everyone to schedule a yearly eye exam.