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Protect Your Eyes From
Sunlight
I have been practicing in Cortez for only
about a month now and the most remarkable thing I have seen with patients,
compared to Minnesota patients, is the tremendous amount of Ultra Violet
damage from sunlight. The sun shines many more days a year here than in
Minnesota.
UV light from the sun affects the lens of the eye. The lens is normally
clear but UV light causes the posterior part of the lens to turn yellow
(we call this sclerosing). When this is present, light entering the eye
tends to scatter and people are bothered more by glare and light
sensitivity.
These changes are not reversible. In fact, if it worsens over time, it can
develop into a cataract. Cataracts decrease acuity, and decrease how well
you see.
What can you do to avoid this? Wear sunglasses outside, even on cloudy
days. Some manufactures put UV blocking into their contact lenses (and
these are the ones that I prescribe for my patients). UV blocking is also
available in clear, prescription eyeglass lenses. Ask Joe, Kerry and Stacy
about them.
Finally, this sclerosing process is an oxidation process of the lens, so
conceivably, taking anti-oxidant vitamins may be helpful in halting this
process. Ask you pharmacist for a good anti-oxidant formula multi-vitamin.
There are also many formulations available specifically formulated for the
eye, like EyeVit, OcuVite, and PreserVision. Generic formulations are
available too.
In short, people in sunny Colorado should wear sun protection for their
eyes and take anti-oxidant vitamins. ~RQ
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