With summer in full swing, you are probably spending a lot of your time outdoors with friends and family enjoying the long summer days. And although being out in the sun is certainly good for the soul, too much sun exposure can wreak havoc on not just your skin but your eyes as well. So, even though that stylish pair of sunglasses you have sitting in your bag may seem like a fashion statement, they are doing a lot more for your vision than you may know of. Let’s take a closer look at why protecting your eyes from the sun is so important.
Permanent Damage
Did you know that sun damage to your eyes can be permanent? Similar to sun damage to your skin, sun damage to your eyes build up over time which can lead to severe, permanent damage later on. Starting when you’re young, you should start wearing sunglasses when you’re outside— especially when you’re by the water because water is so bright and reflective that it can cause even more damage. If you are a parent to young kids, make sure that they are wearing sunglasses when you take them outside for extended periods of time.
Shield Your Eyes from Cataracts
According to research, about 20% of cataracts are caused by long-term exposure to UV rays. As a condition that causes clouding of the vision, or a loss of vision in severe instances, the last thing you want is to get cataracts. And although wearing sunglasses isn’t a sure way to prevent you from getting them, they can more than definitely help.
Protect them from Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is another eye condition that, if left untreated, can cause permanent vision loss. Although age often causes macular degeneration, sun damage can also play a role which makes it yet, another reason to make sure that you wear sunglasses on a regular basis.
Taking good care of your eyes starts with simple things like shielding them from the sun. When you are shopping for sunglasses, make sure that they contain both UVA and UVB protection. To learn more about how you can protect your vision, schedule a consultation with our staff at Wilkinson Eye Center and call our Pontiac office and call (248) 334-4931.
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