Choosing the Right UV Protection | UV Safety Month

Summer means longer days and often more time spent outside. While the summer sun may feel good on your skin, it can lead to wrinkles, increase your risk of skin cancer, and also damage your eyes.

July is UV Safety Month. We all should learn how to protect our eyes and skin from damage from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Keep reading to learn how to select the best type of UV protection. 
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Why is UV protection needed?

UV protection is needed for a few reasons. You probably already know that too much sun exposure can lead to wrinkles. That also includes wrinkles and lines around your eyes. Too much time in the sun can also increase your risk of developing skin cancer around the eyes and on the eyelids.

Another possible problem that can develop due to UV exposure is photokeratitis. Photokeratitis involves damage to the conjunctiva and cornea due to exposure to UV rays. It’s like a sunburn to your eyes. Symptoms of photokeratitis may include light sensitivity, discomfort, and blurred vision. Usually, symptoms only last a day, and vision is not permanently damaged.  

Too much UV exposure may also increase your risk of certain eye diseases. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, UV exposure increases your risk of developing cataracts. 
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How to choose protection 

How do you know what type of protection you need, and when do you need it? The rays from the sun can damage your eyes and skin any time of the year. So, you need UV protection all year long. But since we have more hours of sunlight during the summer, it is even more vital.

When choosing what type of sun protection, consider a couple of factors, such as:

Activity: The type of activity you will be doing outside may play a role in what UV protection you need. For example, if you will be playing sports, you likely need a sunscreen that is waterproof.

Amount of time: The longer you plan to be in the sun, the more precautions you may want to take. For instance, if you will be spending several hours outside, you may want to wear a wide-brimmed hat, bring sunscreen to reapply, and seek shade.  
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Selecting sunglasses

We all know that wearing sunglasses is an excellent way to protect your eyes and vision from UV rays. Choose sunglasses that are labeled as providing 100 percent protection against both UVB and UVA rays. 

Also, consider the style of glasses you need. Different styles are available, such as:
Oversized: Oversized glasses cover more of the skin around the eyes than glasses with a smaller frame.

Shape: The best style of sunglasses may depend on the shape of your face. Sunglasses may be round, square, or cat-eye style.

Wraparound: Wraparound glasses block UV rays from the sides as well as the front. They may be a good choice when you need a little extra protection, such as when spending a day at the beach.

Sports sunglasses: Sports sunglasses often have polarized lenses that help reduce glare, so you have increased visual clarity. 
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Choosing sunscreen  

Sunscreen is also a must for protecting your eyes from UV rays. Sunscreen should be placed all around the eyes and also on the eyelid. Also, reapply the sunscreen if you go swimming or are sweating a lot. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, there are a few features to consider when selecting a sunscreen, such as:

• Coverage: Choose a sunscreen that is broad-spectrum, which means it protects against UVB and UVA rays.  
• Waterproof: Look for a sunscreen that is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
• SPF: Select a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher.

Keep in mind that in addition to sunglasses and sunscreen, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and spending some time in the shade is also helpful to reduce your UV exposure.  

Enjoy your summer days and time outside, but do it safely. If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600. 
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