PREVENT EYE . *
Protect Yourself from
UV Radiation
ost Americans
understand the link
between ultraviolet
(UV) radiation and skin
cancer. Many are less
aware of the connection
between UV radiation and
eye damage. With increased
levels of UV radiation
reaching the Earth's surface,
largely due to stratospheric
ozone layer depletion, it is
important to take the
necessary precautions to
protect your eyes from
being damaged.
EYELID
CORNEA
IRIS
MACULA
Potential Effects of UV Radiation
on Eyes
UV radiation, whether from natural sunlight or artificial UV rays, can
damage the eye, affecting surface tissues and internal structures, such
as the cornea and lens.
Long-term exposure to UV radiation can lead to cataracts, skin cancer
around the eyelids, and other eye disorders.
In the short-term, excessive exposure to UV radiation from daily
activities, including reflections off of snow, pavement, and other
surfaces, can burn the front surface of the eye, similar to a sunburn
on the skin.
The cumulative effects of spending long hours in the sun without
adequate eye protection can increase the likelihood of developing the
following eye disorders:
Cataracts: A clouding of the eye's lens that can blur vision.
Snow Blindness (Photokeratitis): A day at the beach without
sunglasses; reflections off of snow, water, or concrete; or exposure
to artificial light sources such as tanning beds, can cause a
temporary but painful burn to the cornea of the eye.
# Pterygium: An abnormal, but usually non-cancerous,
growth in the corner of the eye. It can grow over the
cornea, partially blocking vision, and may require surgery
to be removed.
# Skin Cancer around the Eyelids: Basal cell carcinoma is the
most common type of skin cancer to affect the eyelids. In
most cases, lesions occur on the lower lid, but they can
occur anywhere on the eyelids, in the corners of the eye,
under the eyebrows, and on adjacent areas of the face.
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RETINA
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EPA's SunWise Program:
Educating Youth About
Sun Safety
The SunWise Program is an environmental
and health education program that aims to
teach people how to protect themselves from
overexposure to the sun. The school element of
the program uses classroom, school, and
community components to develop sustained
sun-safe behaviors in children. Additional
partnerships with local broadcast meteorologists,
science centers, children's museums, and
health experts provide numerous opportunities
to deliver the SunWise
message to youth,
their care givers, and
the general public. For
more information about
SunWise and how you can K
participate, please visit
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Did You Know....
# 20.5 million Americans have cataracts.
# The economic costs of visual disorders and
disabilities in the United States in 2003 was
estimated to be $68 billion.
Source: National Eye Institute, U.S. National Institutes of
Health
Preventative Measures for
Eye Protection
Protect your eyes from UV exposure by wearing
sunglasses that properly block UV-A and UV-B rays.
Sunglasses should block 99-100 percent of UV-A
and UV-B from reaching your eyes, so look for
manufacturer labels that indicate UV protective
Office of Air rtnd Radiation (6205J) www.epa.gov/sunwise
lenses. Wrap-around sunglasses are preferable
because they keep UV rays from reaching the eyes.
Additionally, a wide-brimmed hat offers some degree
of eye protection, blocking UV rays from entering the
eyes from the sides or above the sunglasses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does my eye color or skin color affect my risk for
eye damage from UV radiation?
A: No. All people, regardless of their eye or skin color,
are susceptible to eye damage from UV radiation.
Q: What should I look for when choosing a pair of
sunglasses?
A: No matter what sunglass styles or options you
choose, you should insist that your sunglasses:
* Block out 99-100 percent of both UV-A and
UV-B radiation.
# Are perfectly matched in color and are free of
distortion and imperfection.
Q: Do I have to buy expensive sunglasses to ensure
that I am being protected from UV radiation?
A: As long as the label says that the glasses provide
UV-A and UV-B protection, price should not be a
deciding factor.
For more information contact:
The American Optometric Association
The American Academy of Opthalmology
The National Eye Institute
EPA430-F-0 > 052
December 2004
REMEMBER!!
Exposure to UV radiation has cumulative
effects on the eyes, with damage
today leading to eye problei
tomorrow.
PROTECT YOUR EYES
AND SIGHT...
FEAR SUNGLASS
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