Protect your eyes from UV damage, optometrists say

Jacksonville, FL – Americans are not doing enough to protect their eyes from ultraviolet radiation, caution experts from the American Optometric Association.

According to AOA, although 85 percent of Americans are aware that UV rays can damage their eyes, only 65 percent wear sunglasses and only 39 percent make sure their children wear sunglasses for protection.

“The effects of UV radiation are cumulative over a person’s lifetime, and ocular disorders such as cataracts may not manifest for years, at which point the damage is already done,” said Christine W. Sindt, who chairs the AOA Contact Lens and Cornea Section.

Children have larger pupils than adults, allowing more light into their eyes. They also are likely to be outdoors with no protection for longer periods of time than adults. Experts estimate that children’s annual dose of radiation may be up to 3 times as high as adults’.

According to AOA, the best protection against UV rays is a combination of sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats and, for people who require vision correction, UV-blocking contact lenses.