Layton Visual Center

Jun 14, 2011

Sun Fun Frames

From sun wear to smart young frame wear our patients always leave smiling.

Jun 1, 2011

As the temperature goes up, images of summer come to mind. I like to think of sunny days at the beach, warm evenings watching baseball, and sitting on the porch waiting for the Fourth of July fireworks to begin. However, these activities pose some threat to vision if the eyes are not properly protected.

As you pull out your summer wardrobe and go looking for a pair of sunglasses, here are some things to consider. The sun emits light of all different wavelengths. The most dangerous wavelengths to the eye are the ultraviolet (UV) rays. These rays are capable of burning the cornea, a condition called photokeratitis. This can be very painful as the cornea is especially sensitive. The UV rays are also thought to be related to cataract development and age-related macular degeneration. The eyelids can be harmed when sunburned or develop skin cancer.

Here are some tips for purchasing sunglasses. Most importantly, make sure that the label says that the sunglasses will protect you from 99-100% UVA and UVB rays. These are two different forms of ultraviolet light, both of which can cause damage to the eyes. If the label does not specify both of these, the sunglasses will not provide adequate protection. Choose sunglasses that fit as close to the face as possible. Consider wrap around styles as they provide better protection. Neither the color of the lenses, nor the price of the glasses, is important. Many people prefer dark tints on the sunglasses to increase eye comfort in bright light; however, it is possible to have UV coatings even on clear lenses. Polarized lenses also may provide added comfort to people who spend time surrounded by horizontal surfaces such as roofers, truck drivers, or fishermen. This is because polarized lenses block the light rays that are reflected from these surfaces while allowing many of the direct rays to penetrate through the lens.

Summer Eye Dos

Sunglasses are not the only eyewear needed in the summer. Many of our summer activities require additional eye protection for safety. Whether you are pruning hedges, using a weed trimmer or lawn mower, or working under a car, you should protect yourself with safety glasses. Your glasses should comply with the standards set for industrial use by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). They should be made of a shatter-resistant polycarbonate material. Even safety lenses are not completely shatter-proof, so some common sense is needed. The polycarbonate material will also provide the needed UV protection.

For those who enjoy summer sports, eyewear is needed on the field. The US Eye Injury Registry reports that 5% of serious eye injuries in the United States are baseball related. The baseball is just the right size to put significant pressure on the bones surrounding the eye or the eyeball itself. These injuries may include: orbital fractures which damage the bone structure surrounding the eye; corneal abrasions or scratches to the eye; hyphemas or bleeding within the eye; or retinal detachment where the rods and cones pull away from the back shell of the eye. The batter is at the greatest risk for these injuries. Face guards made of polycarbonate material on batting helmets could prevent a significant number of these injuries. If you play soccer, basketball, or football you also should wear proper protective eyewear. All persons who have had LASIK refractive surgery should be especially careful to prevent eye injuries which may cause the flap created during the surgery to shift. Regardless of the sport in which you participate, look for eyewear that has been approved for sports by the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM).