Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is bad for your eyes. Long-term exposure can lead to various eye conditions, such as keratitis, pterygia, pinguecula and cataracts, among others. Some people are more vulnerable to the sun’s UV rays, including children, construction workers and contact lens wearers.
Read on to find out why these three types of people need extra UV protection for their eyes.
1. Kids
On average, children spend more time outdoors than adults. Furthermore, their eyes are still developing, and their crystalline lenses – which are usually clear at birth – allow UV light to pass through them. As they become adults, the crystalline lenses mature and go through a natural discoloration or slight yellowing, which helps filter out short wavelength light. This means adults are more protected against UV radiation than kids. Make sure your children wear UV-protective sunglasses whenever they go out.
2. Outdoor Workers
The dayshift or work hours of outdoor workers usually coincide with the hours when UV radiation is most intense – between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. That’s why they must have adequate sun protection for their eyes while working.
3. Contact Lens Wearers
Contact lenses may have UVA- and UVB-blocking capabilities, but these aren’t enough to protect your eyes from UV radiation. They only protect the cornea while leaving the conjunctiva, eyelid skin and brow bone exposed to UV rays. Make sure to still wear your sunglasses when outdoors.
You can always count on Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry for high-quality eyeglasses and contact lenses. And with over 40 years of experience in providing eye care, we can also ensure excellent services for all our patients.
Call us at (703) 660-9494 (Alexandria), (703) 413-1400 (Crystal City), (703) 522-7676 (Clarendon), (703) 573-1200 (Falls Church) or (703) 467-9080 (Reston). Alternatively, you can fill out our online form to schedule your appointment.