UV Safety

UV Safety Month

July marks our calendars as UV safety month. In July, we partake in activities such as swimming, tanning, biking, and more. These outdoor activities result in direct exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can harm the largest organ on our bodies, the skin and potentially our eyes. In this blog post, HEI will prepare you for UV Safety Month explaining the effects of UV rays, providing the basics of UV safety and eye protection, and a comprehensive guide to protecting your personal lenses to the world.

What are UV Rays

Ultraviolet rays are a wavelength of light emitting electromagnetic radiation. There are three types of UV rays, Ultraviolet A (UVA), Ultraviolet B (UVB), and Ultraviolet C. UVA rays are long rays that penetrate deep into the inner skin. UVB are short powerful rays that affect the other areas of the skin. UVC rays only affects the ozone layer. While UV rays are typically a result of the sun, they can also come from artificial devices such as tanning beds and wielding torches. UV rays are completely invisible to the human eye, which can pose a danger to an individual receiving constant exposure. There are multiple factors that affect the intensity of UV radiation such as position of the sun, time of the year, cloud cover, altitude, and ozone level.

Dangers of UV Rays

UVA and UVB both pose a serious threat to the skin. Extended exposure to UV rays can result in Cancer, Sunspots, and premature aging of the skin. While the eyes only take up a small portion of our body, they serve as a primary organ for allowing light directly into our body. UV rays when exposed to the human eye, can result in ocular conditions such as Cataracts, Pterygium, Photoconjunctivitis, and Melanoma of the eye.

Proper UV Safety

While UV rays are extremely powerful and cause lethal damage to the human body, especially the eyes, the harmful effects are preventable. The human body comes equipped with natural protection against UV rays in the form of eyebrows and eyelashes. While they serve a substantial role in protecting the eyes, additional protection is heavily encouraged. Refer to the list below for recommendations that will enhance UV safety.

UV Safety List

• Sunglasses – Block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation light. Wear sunglasses that are 100% UV proof and contain lenses that have the most resistance like polycarbonate or Trivex® material.
• Wide-brimmed hats- They keeps your face and eyes shaded from the sun at most angles.
• Clouds don’t block UV rays – Understand that UV rays can pass through clouds and cause damage.
• Limit time spent in UV rays – Place a limit on the amount of time spent in UV light such as beaches, pools, and tanning beds for a comfortable mix of fun and safety.

Schedule an eye exam – Know the exact state of you precious eyes by scheduling an eye exam. Dr. Shareen Greenbaum will provide a comprehensive exam which will help you be cognizant of your ocular health and allow you to prepare for UV Rays. While July is UV Safety Month, we encourage UV safety all year long. Stay healthy and have fun this July!

Interested in scheduling your annual eye exam with Dr. Greenbaum? Give our office a call or simply schedule an appointment via ZocDoc. 

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Sources: American Optometric Institute, World Health Organization, American Cancer Society, American Academy of Ophthalmology