Summer’s Almost Here! Help Protect Your Eyes from Harmful UV Rays
Don't underestimate the importance of UV protection this summer
Colleyville, Texas
- June
1, 2009
-- Total Eye Care,
Most Americans understand the importance of
protecting their skin
Even on an overcast day, harmful UV rays can cause sunburn of both the skin and the cornea of the eye.
from the sun but they seldom make an effort to
protect their eyes. Many are unaware that exposure to ultraviolet
(UV) radiation can harm the eyes and affect vision as well.
"Proper UV protection is important in not only adults but also for
our children." Says
Dr.
Richard Driscoll from Colleyville, Texas.
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), even on an overcast day, harmful UV rays can cause sunburn of both the skin and the cornea of the eye. Over time, unprotected exposure to the sun can increase the possible risk of certain types of cataracts and potentially damage the retina, which could lead to total blindness. Americans should also know that UV damage is cumulative, so it’s never too late to begin protecting the eyes from the sun’s harmful rays.
The following top five tips from the American Optometric Association can help prevent further eye damage from exposure to UV radiation:
- Wear protective eyewear any time your eyes are exposed to UV light, even on cloudy days and during winter months.
- Look for quality sunglasses that offer good protection. Sunglasses should block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UB-B radiation and screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light.
- Check to make sure your sunglass lenses are perfectly matched in color and free of distortion and imperfection.
- Purchase gray-colored lenses. They reduce light intensity without altering the color of objects, providing the most natural color vision.
- Don’t forget protection for children and teenagers. They typically spend more time in the sun than adults.
Additionally, be sure to receive routine comprehensive eye exams. It’s a good way to monitor eye health, maintain good vision, and keep up to date on the latest in UV radiation protection.
More information on UV protection, is available from the American Optometric Association.
About Dr. Richard A. Driscoll
Optometric Glaucoma Specialist, Dr. Rich Driscoll is a residency trained therapeutic optometrist. Dr. Driscoll has been serving the eye care needs of patients in Tarrant County since 1995.
About Total Eye Care
Total Eye Care is a full service eye care practice with two offices serving northeast Tarrant County. The Colleyville office is located at 6114 Colleyville Blvd., Keller, Texas. Total Eye Care’s Keller office is located at 1834 Keller Parkway, Keller, Texas. More information can be found on The Eye Doc Blog or at totaleyecare.com
About the American Optometric Association (AOA):
The American Optometric Association represents more than 34,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and paraoptometric assistants and technicians. Optometrists provide more than two-thirds of all primary eye care in the United States and serve patients in nearly 6,500 communities across the country. In 3,500 of those communities they are the only eye doctors.
American Optometric Association doctors of optometry are highly qualified, trained doctors on the frontline of eye and vision care who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. In addition to providing eye and vision care, optometrists play a major role in a patient’s overall health and well-being by detecting systemic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
Prior to optometry school, optometrists typically complete four years of undergraduate study, culminating in a bachelor’s degree with extensive, required coursework in areas such as advanced health, science and mathematics. Optometry school consists of four years of post-graduate, doctoral study concentrating on both the eye and systemic health. In addition to their formal training, doctors of optometry must undergo annual continuing education to stay current on the latest standards of care.
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Media Contact:
Dr. Rich Driscoll
Total Eye Care
817.416.0333
Press @ totaleyecare.NET
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