We all yearn for the sweet spring and summer days, but it is important to think of how these wonderful sunny days can harm your eyes. May is Ultraviolet Awareness Month and a great reminder of year-round eye safety measures.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are from the radiation emitted by the sun. UV rays can also be produced by tanning beds, lasers, and specialized equipment such as welders. Ultraviolet radiation is dangerous and commonly associated with skin cancer, but is also the culprit for various eye diseases.

Photokeratitis

Imagine the worst sunburn possible, then imagine that on the surface of your eye. Photokeratitis is exactly that: Sunburn of the eye. Redness, burning, tearing, and a feeling of grit in your eye are all symptoms of this painful condition. Wearing sunglasses any time you are outside is a critical strategy for promoting eye safety.

Cataracts

Ultraviolet radiation contributes to the development of cataracts as you age. Your eyes, like a camera, have a lens which can become cloudy over time. Light has more difficulty entering the eye, reducing your vision. Colors and contrast diminish and tasks such as driving become difficult and dangerous.

Macular Degeneration

Lining the rear interior of the eye is your retina, which receives the image after it passes through the eye’s lens. The retina then transfers the information to the optic nerve. The part of your retina that is responsible for the central part of the image, like the face in a portrait, is called the Macula. Ultraviolet radiation promotes Macular Degeneration, in which deposits build up on the macula and cause degradation of the image and eventual loss of vision. Macular Degeneration currently has no cure and can only be slowed once it has started.

Eye Skin Cancer

Just as any other area of your skin that is exposed to ultraviolet radiation can suffer skin cancer, so too can the delicate skin of the eye area. The prevention is again the right pair of sunglasses and a hat with a brim. As a cosmetic aside, these eye safety tactics can also help you avoid pesky lines and wrinkles in those areas.

Ultraviolet radiation can destroy your vision. Even on shady days, UV rays are still present and should be on your mind. Protect your sight now to enjoy clear vision for many sunny summers to come.

April has the distinction of being Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month and you may be wondering what differentiates women’s vision issues from those of men. Eye doctors report that women encounter many eye health issues simply as a result of their gender.

Effects of Hormones
As women age, their bodies experience fluctuations in their hormone levels, specifically estrogen and progesterone. This shift in hormones often causes dry eye syndrome where the eye produces less natural lubrication to keep the eyes moist. Eye doctors typically prescribe drops to help mitigate the discomfort that results from this issue. Pregnant women may also experience dry eye and corneal swelling as their hormones change throughout the course of the pregnancy.

Anatomy
A woman’s eye structure is physically different from that of a man, and the shallower chamber between the iris and the pupil raises the risk for glaucoma. This occurs when eye fluid does not drain effectively and then increases eye pressure. This can be a dangerous situation resulting in vision loss. Pressure build up gradually damages the optic nerve, stealing your vision.

Life Span
Since women tend to live longer than their male counterparts, their risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) can be significantly higher. In cases of ARMD the central part of the retina experiences a build up of deposits that gradually obscures the central part of your visual field. This is a permanent condition with no current cure.

Eye Safety
Women may expose themselves to eye safety hazards daily when they apply eye makeup. Most cosmetics are put through rigorous testing before approved for sale in the U.S. but the search for the exotic may lead to the discovery of cosmetics from abroad. Unapproved ingredients like kohl and other pigments can cause substantial harm to your eyes, even blindness. Eye doctors treat bacterial and chemical issues related to this issue more often than you might expect. Steer clear of products that have not been approved for U.S. sale.

Sports
While men are more typically injured playing sports than are women, a woman may avoid wearing protective eye equipment in the name of vanity. Always use common sense during activities and wear safety eyewear. Even the best eye doctors may not repair your sight once it has been lost.

Women have an increased risk of vision issues that may lead to blindness so should be especially vigilant with their eye health.

Your yearly eye exam is the most important tool in maintaining your eye health. During this exam, your optometrist can identify potential issues, or at the very least ensure that you continue to see as clearly as possible. Your eye exam consists of various stages of testing, and being aware of what to expect can make you more comfortable.

Health Discussion

Your optometrist may begin by asking about your general health. Be honest and comprehensive in your answers, as certain medications or illnesses can affect your eye health. For example, patients with Diabetes have an increased risk of developing Glaucoma, a condition that can rob you of your sight. Seemingly unrelated health information can be very relevant. The doctor will ask you about your eye health and comfort, and whether you have noticed any changes in your vision.

Eye Health Exam

Next, the doctor will visually inspect your eyes with the help of various tools and machinery. He or she will be looking for signs of irritation, lens clouding, overall health of the eye’s structures, condition of the blood vessels, and signs of impending problems. If you are a patient with complicated health, the doctor may perform tests for Glaucoma. This may involve applying eye drops or a gentle puff of air to your eye for diagnosis, but routine eye exams are generally a painless event even when these tests are administered.

Testing Vision and Eye Function

The optometrist will also assess your visual acuity, or how well you see without corrective lenses. He or she will test eye tracking, how your eyes follow a moving object. You may read from a chart, pick out shapes of different colors, or identify where lights are placed on a picture. These tasks help identify color sight and other vision issues.

Taking Eye Measurements

By now, your doctor has a good idea of your sight needs, and will use equipment to fine-tune your vision prescription, if one is needed. The dimensions of your eye are measured using light reflection, so that your prescription is accurate. If glasses are your choice, you may also through a fitting process where your face is measured and you select your frames.

Be sure to see your Phoenix eye doctor anytime you notice a change in vision, but at least once yearly.
This annual exam is typically not something to fret over, plus it may someday save your sight.

While men and women share many similarities with regard to eyecare, men may have greater exposure to situations that present hazards to their eye health. Habits, lifestyle choices, and work environment may all create situations that endanger your vision, so it’s important to protect yourself in these cases.

Skilled Trades
Many trade positions in industries such as welding, auto repair, carpentry, plumbing and more are statistically held by more men than women. These positions often involve working with hand tools, open flame, high power equipment or other potentially dangerous implements. Byproducts or debris from the work area can easily enter the eye even without the use of tools. Using equipment further adds to the danger of an eye injury. Wearing personal protective equipment is a must in most skilled trades and should not be overlooked. A moment without safety glasses could mean a lifetime of blindness or diminished sight.

Sports
It is easy to get caught up in the spirit of competition or male camaraderie while playing sports. You may take more risks when you are emotionally invested in an athletic activity than your common sense would normally allow, and all too easily an eye injury can be the unfortunate result. As with using protective equipment for work, wearing goggles or safety glasses during contact sports can be the best eyecare measure you can take. Those participating in outdoor sports should wear sunglasses with UV protection, which will help you avoid cataracts later in life, and protect you from sunburn of the eye and eye cancers.

Smoking
Historically, men have been heavier smokers than women. Smoking is not only harmful to your heart and lungs but wreaks havoc on your eye health as well. Cataracts and macular degeneration are serious risks for smokers. Individuals with existing eye conditions exponentially raise their chance of blindness if they also smoke. If you are a smoker, quitting now can give your eyes time to recover from any damage they’ve incurred.

Through daily life, men expose themselves to significant risk of eye injury or disease. Many factors can negatively affect your eye health. Recognizing those factors and taking the appropriate measures to protect your eyes can mean the difference between blindness and sight in your immediate future as well as in the future. Consult with an eyecare provider to discuss ways to conserve your precious vision in any situation.

Millions of people in the United States suffer from some degree of vision loss, much of which is preventable. By spreading eye care awareness in Phoenix, you can help reduce the likelihood of blindness and vision impairment in your community.

Photo credit: kenteegardin / Foter / CC BY-SA

Be an Advocate

An easy way to spread eyecare awareness is to be an advocate for eye health. Schedule yourself and your immediate family members for routine eyecare appointments on a yearly basis, even if no one requires vision correction. Do you have a great Phoenix eye doctor? Share his or her name proactively with friends and co-workers and motivate them to schedule appointments.

Familiarize Children

Set a strong example for children by practicing great eye safety and care strategies. Encourage them to keep dirty fingers away from their eyes, avoid throwing objects at each other, and show them safe work habits. Help them “suit up” for building or handyman tasks by putting on safety glasses and protective equipment that is appropriate for the project at hand. Make the annual eye exam a fun experience by associating it with positive experiences, such as an excursion at the park or giving them a toy as a reward for behaving well at the doctor’s office.

Be Vigilant at Work

Encourage others to work safely, using protective eyewear as needed. Even at a desk job, eye injury can occur if a particle enters the eye and there is no first aid solution available. Ensure that fresh saline solution is on hand at all times and that other employees know where it is located.

Share Knowledge

Did you read an interesting article on preventing eye strain? Share it with family members and co-workers who could be helped by the information. Engage people in conversation about their eyewear and products they use to get them thinking about eyecare. During eye-related awareness months, spread the word on the cause at hand and how others can help.

Lead a Donation Drive

Many eyeglass wearers have no idea what to do with their old glasses. Encourage them to bring in outdated pairs for donation to your local Lion’s Club organization. These glasses can be refitted for less fortunate individuals in dire need of vision help and won’t go in a landfill.

Vision is something that so many of us take for granted. By helping spread the word about proper eyecare, you could help save someone’s precious gift of sight.