|
Protecting Your Eyes From Sunlight After Cataract Surgery
Excessive light may be harmful to the retina after cataract surgery. This is because the natural lens has been removed and ultraviolet (UV) light is now focused on the macula through the plastic implant. The lens of the eye protects the retina by absorbing specific wavelengths of ultraviolet light and by focusing visible wavelengths onto the retina. Although the implant lens contains ultraviolet blocking agents, it doesn't provide the same degree of protection to the macula as the natural lens.
During surgery, your cornea is covered with a special translucent disk to protect the retina from operating room lights.
Following surgery, your ophthalmologist may give you a tinted wrap-around ultraviolet protective shield or advise you to wear your sunglasses outside in bright light. After the postoperative healing period, if your eyes still feel uncomfortable on a sunny day, be sure to tell your doctor. A variety of ultraviolet protective lenses are available, including glasses that automatically darken when exposed to light, plastic tinted lenses and wrap-around sunglasses that can be worn over your own glasses.
The National Weather Service publishes the Ultraviolet Potential Index (UPI) to alert the public to the dangers of ultraviolet rays. In fact, exposure to ultraviolet B light rays (UVB) has been associated with cataract formation. These studies and the UPI underscore the importance of wearing ultraviolet protective lenses.
In addition to the ultraviolet protection, many absorptive lenses eliminate the blue light that is associated with glare. Individuals with cataracts should, therefore, discuss glare and ultraviolet protection with their optometrist or ophthalmologist.
In fact, it is recommended that people of all ages, including infants, protect their eyes with sunglasses, hats or visors. It's important to be informed about sunwear protection and the quality and nature of the lenses you purchase. Just because a lens is dark does not mean it filters out ultraviolet rays. You need to read the labels on sunwear, and it is recommended that you wear sunglasses that filter 99 to 100 percent of ultraviolet (UV) light. Some labels say, "UV absorption up to 400nm" which is equivalent to 100% UV protection. The label "Meets ANSI UV requirements" means the sunwear blocks at least 99% of UV light.
By Eleanor E. Faye, MD, FACS; Bruce P. Rosenthal, OD, FAAO; and Carol J. Sussman-Skalka, CSW, MBA