Your eyes and UV rays

imaxtree

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun causes damage to the ocular surface.

It usually causes tearing, red eye, a gritty feeling, and blurred vision.

For that reason, it is necessary to prevent them, using artificial tears several times a day and avoiding exposure to UV radiation.

"UV radiation can cause damage to different parts of the eye: clouding the lens and generating cataracts, or causing macular degeneration and solar maculopathy, which are usually irreversible and cause permanent loss of vision, or even ocular melanoma and tumors on the skin of eyelids," says Irene Copati, (MN 113.365), an ophthalmologist at the Ophthalmology Service of the Hospital Universitario Austral.

"There are two fairly common problems. On the one hand, the pterygium, a growth of the conjunctiva that progresses over the cornea and is usually very symptomatic, causing a red eye and tearing. On the other, the pinguecula, which is also a growth of the conjunctiva next to the cornea Another drawback is keratitis caused by phototrauma, that is, an injury to the surface of the cornea due to the reflection of the sun's rays on snow, sand and water or by the use of lamps with UV radiation. It is very painful, and often presents with blurred vision, tearing and a very red eye," adds the doctor.

Of course, there are people who are at greater risk of eye damage from exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

This is the case of patients operated on for cataracts and who have an intraocular lens without a UV filter.

Also, that of people who spend a lot of time in the sun, such as rural workers and gardeners, or those who do physical activity outdoors.

Also, people with light eyes and children are more susceptible.

"Certain medications can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight, for example some antibiotics such as tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones, certain estrogen pills, and medications for malaria or psoriasis. Meanwhile, tanning bed users are at very high risk, not only eye damage but also skin cancer, since the radiation from tanning beds is up to 100 times that of the sun," he says.

Photos: Imaxtree and DR (B+D lenses).

How to care for and protect your eyes from UV radiation

Consequently, the ophthalmologist at the Hospital Universitario Austral suggests reducing the time spent in the sun, particularly between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., when the rays hit the most intensely, in addition to never looking directly at the sun.

He also recommends using a high SPF sunscreen on your face, along with hats or visors that protect from radiation.

Regarding sunglasses, he proposes "to make sure they are of good quality, regardless of their color, but with a 100% UV filter, that is, UV 400, UV-A and UV-B, and large enough to avoid rays enter through the sides, even on cloudy days.

For the specialist, the best protection is prevention.

"I want to emphasize the importance of not self-medication and of consulting an ophthalmologist in case of any doubt. Many times eye drops are used that end up being counterproductive or do not solve the problem. Eye drops with tears, anti-inflammatories or antibiotics should always be prescribed by a doctor ophthalmologist", complete.

Square polarized lenses (B+D).

The effect of polarized lenses

Barbara Read, B+D's product manager for pre-graduate sunglasses and reading glasses, comments on the firm's latest launch: a new line of polarized sunglasses made up of glasses of different models and various formats.

This type of glasses reduces glare and eye fatigue.

"Because of this, they improve vision and safety in the sun. When working or playing outdoors, you can not only damage your eye but also be temporarily blinded by reflected light and glare. This is a potentially dangerous situation, which the lens polarization can prevent," he says.

look too

The ABC's for a beautiful, healthy and long-lasting tan.