PREVENT EY
DAMAGE
Protect Yourself froi
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.
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:
*
*
MACULA
Cataracts: A clouding of the eye's lens that can blur vision.
Snow Blindness (Photokeratitis): A temporary but painful burn to the
cornea caused by a day at the beach without sunglasses; reflections off
of snow, water, or concrete; or exposure to artificial light sources such
as tanning beds.
# 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 any-
where on the eyelids, in the corners of the eye, under the
eyebrows, and on adjacent areas of the face.
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 meteorologist
science centers, children's museums, and
health experts provide numerous opportunities
to deliver the SunWise
i '«t. , • •
message to youth,
their care givers, and
the general public. For more
information about SunWise
and how you can participate,
please visit
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SunWise-V Sv
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program oftlu U.S. Environmental Protection Agenc
www.epa.gov/sunwise
Did You Know....
0 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 , National
Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services
Preventative Measures for
Eye Protection
The greatest measure of UV protection is achieved with a
combination of UV-absorbing sunglasses, a wide-brimmed
hat, and for those who wear contact lenses, UV-blocking
contacts.
Look for sunglasses that block 99-100 percent of UV-A
and UV-B radiation. Wrap-around sunglasses and wide-
brimmed hats add extra layers of protection because they
block UV rays from entering the eyes from the sides and
above. UV-blocking contact lenses provide added protec-
tion against the direct and reflected rays that are not
blocked by sunglasses or hats. As is the case with overall
sun safety, a combination approach works best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does my eye color or skin color affect my risk for eye
damage from UV radiation?
A: While studies show an increased incidence of cataracts
in dark brown irises, people with all eye and skin
colors are susceptible to UV eye damage.
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: No. As long as the label says that the glasses provide
UV-A and UV-B protection, price should not be a
deciding factor.
Q: Do all contact lenses block UV rays?
A: No. Not all contact lenses offer UV protection and not
all provide similar absorption levels. Ask your eye care
professional for more information, and remember, a
combination approach works best!
For more information, contact:
The American Optometric Association
The American Academy of Opthalmology
The National Eye Institute
REMEMBER!
Exposure to UV radiation has
cumulative effects on the eyes.
Damage today leads to eye
problems tomorrow.
PROTECT YOUR EYES
All YEAR-ROUND-
LENSES AND A HAT!
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