The future’s so bright…

Why wearing shades is more than just cool

We are lucky in Northwest Arkansas to have an average of 217 sunny days a year, higher than the national average of 205 days. A day of sunshine can improve mood and increase levels of vitamin D in the body. Exposure to sunlight during the day also can help regulate the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, known as the circadian rhythm. However, overexposure to the sun can be dangerous as well.

Many people know that exposure to the sun can lead to sunburn and long-standing skin damage, but they may not realize that the eyes also are susceptible to damage caused by the sun. Extended exposure to the sun’s UV rays has been linked to significant eye problems. UV rays come in three types: A, B and C. The atmosphere’s ozone layer blocks virtually all UVC rays, which are the most potent, but UVA and UVB can be dangerous when exposure to the sun is significant.

Exposure to excessive amounts of UV radiation over a short period of time can cause photokeratitis, which is essentially a sunburn of the eye that can cause pain and redness. Prolonged exposure to UV rays without adequate protection may cause lasting damage, says the American Optometric Association. UV rays come from both the sun itself and tanning beds. Here’s a look at some of the common UV-induced eye conditions.

• Cataracts: A clouding of the eye’s natural lens, or the part of the eye that focuses the light a person sees.

• Macular degeneration: UV rays may lead to macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of vision loss for older people. The macula is the center portion of the retina, essential for vision.

• Pterygium: This is a growth that begins on the white of the eye and may involve the cornea. The growth can eventually impede vision, says the organization Prevent Blindness America.

Sunglasses and other protective lenses are essential to keeping the eyes healthy. Dr. Chad Betts, of the McDonald Eye Clinic in Fayetteville advises looking for sunglasses that block 99-100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays.

“Oversized frames offer a greater degree of protection around the eye as well,” he says, but the color of the lens isn’t as important, since “some dark lenses don’t protect against all UV rays.”

Those who enjoy time outdoors might consider polarized lenses. “Polarized lenses are very popular with our patients, especially those who enjoy fishing. The polarization decreases glare and can make being outside more comfortable,” Dr. Betts notes.

In addition, people can wear wide-brimmed hats to protect their eyes from the sun and harmful UV rays. This will do double duty of shielding the eyes as well as the delicate skin of the face.