You may feel less heat
from that winter sun -- but don't be fooled. Those trendy
sunglasses you bought last summer are just as important now. The
sun's rays can still do serious damage to your eyes, whether you
live in snowy Chicago or sunny L.A.
"People don't realize
that just because the sun isn't as intense or as hot, they need
protection," says Susan Taub, MD, assistant professor of
ophthalmology at Northwestern University School of Medicine in
Chicago.
The winter sun sits lower
in the sky -- and at a different angle -- than during warmer
seasons, she says. "That actually gives you more exposure
if you're out for a longer period of time, like at sports and
other events," she tells WebMD. "It can be damaging to
various layers of the eye."
Research shows that the
sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can contribute to various eye
diseases related to aging, like cataracts and macular
degeneration.
Anyone who spends long
hours outdoors, take note. "In reality, people need
sunglasses all year long," Taub says. "Anyone who has
driven when there's snow on the ground knows that. Even when
there isn't snow, you're still at risk because of the glare
coming off the cement."
Because snow is
reflective, up to 85% of the sun's UV rays are reflected upward,
according to the Vision Council of America. Also, the reflective
qualities of snow make it difficult for skiers to see the slope
as they descend, possibly causing injuries.
In the short term, those
UV rays can cause sunburned eyes. In snow country, they call it
snow blindness -- and it's a big problem for skiers and
snowmobilers. Without eye protection, snow blindness can damage
the cornea for up to a week. "The surface of the eyes are
actually sunburned," Taub says. "It's usually very
painful but heals within a week."
Certain drugs also can
make eyes and skin more sensitive to the sun's rays --
birth-control pills, sulfa antibiotics, diuretics, and
tranquilizers. "You get sunburned in one-third or one-tenth
of the time than usual," she tells WebMD.
It's happened to Taub: On
one vacation, an hour in the sun left her with a big red welt,
despite the sun block she was wearing. The antibiotic she had
been taking, the pharmacist later confirmed, was a
photosensitizing drug.
Children are
especially susceptible to UV-related eye problems, since they
spend more time outdoors. "Sun protection for the eyes is
important at every age," Taub says. She recommends that
children and teens have an eye exam every six months.
Adults should have an eye
exam at least every other year, or see an ophthalmologist or
optometrist sooner if any symptoms appear.
Wear protective eyewear
with anti-reflective, polarized lenses that block out 100% of UV
radiation, she advises. The UV code will indicate if sunglasses
are protective. An ophthalmologist or optometrist also can
measure UV protection using an instrument called a spectrometer,
Taub says.
By
Jeanie Lerche Davis
WebMD Feature
|
Winter
Means Wearing Sunglasses!