Experts At Leading Vision Health Care Organization Offer Summer Eye Safety Tips For The Holidays
Most People Do Not Take Eye Safety Seriously During Summer Holiday Season
As summer vacations begin and Americans travel for the busy July 4th weekend, experts at Lighthouse International are urging people to take eye safety seriously to prevent damage from overexposure to the sun and dangerous fireworks. Lighthouse International, based in New York City, is a non-profit leader in vision health care for 103 years.
While many people know that unprotected exposure to the sun can cause damage to the skin, unprotected exposure to the sun can also harm the eyes. Boaters, fishermen, golfers, chefs, firework watchers, and people going on cruises to the Caribbean and southern ports should be especially careful.
According to Dr. Bruce P. Rosenthal OD, Chief of Low Vision Programs at Lighthouse International, "Research shows that only one in six Americans wear sunglasses when they are in the sun for long periods of time, yet people who spend excessive hours in the summer sun have an increased risk in later life of developing age-related eye conditions such as macular degeneration as well as cataracts and corneal problems. All of which cause low vision and potential blindness. Sunglasses are vital because they keep certain wavelengths of light from entering the eye. They can also reduce the amount of light entering the eye, protect against harmful UV light, decrease glare and increase contrast."
Here are 7 eye safety tips from the experts at Lighthouse.
Be sure to wear proper sunglasses - sunglasses that have 400 UV protection or more. A dark lens does not necessarily have UV protection. The key characteristic to look for is an indication that the lenses absorb 99 to 100 percent of UV light, particularly UV-B. An ultraviolet-blocking coating can also be placed on any lens, regardless of the degree of tint. However, a coating does not block as much UV light as the protective lens.
Be sure to wear sun glasses, especially during long hours on the beach or on the water since the water reflects and intensifies the sun.
To further minimize sun damage to the eyes, people of all ages - from infants to seniors - should wear hats or visors.
Be sure to wear eye protection that is fitted properly when playing any sport. Such protective lenses should be made of polycarbonate which can withstand high impact. Eye injuries are one of the leading causes of visual impairment in children.
Avoid blue tinted sun glasses - they may look cool but blue tint actually emits ultra violet light which is what you are supposed to be blocking out.
Wear safety glasses while watching fireworks displays and playing with sparklers.
When grilling, billowing smoke from the grill can cause burning and painful irritation to the eyes. Outdoor cooks should consider wearing polycarbonate lenses which provide a higher safety factor than conventional lenses.
If you have vision impairment, speak with your eye care professional or low vision specialist (optometrist or ophthalmologist) at Lighthouse International to learn which sunglasses best suit your needs. Eye diseases are treatable and some are preventable. To locate an eye doctor specializing in low vision in your area, call Lighthouse International's toll-free number at 1-800-829-0500 or visit www.lighthouse.org
Founded in 1905, Lighthouse International is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to preserving vision and to providing critically needed health care services to help people of all ages overcome the challenges of vision loss. Through services, education, research and advocacy, the Lighthouse enables people with low vision and blindness to enjoy safe, independent and productive lives. For more information about vision loss, its causes and what you can do about it, contact Lighthouse International at 1-800-829-0500 or visit www.lighthouse.org