(www.PreserveMacForte.com) When it comes to harmful ultra violet (UV) rays, people need to protect not only their skin but also their eyes, reported WTVY.com.
According to the article, sun exposure accumulates over the years, which means the damage is progressive. People who are not mindful of this could end up facing medical issues down the proverbial road.
The article cited Dr. Brent McKinley, an ophthalmologist who works at Dothan Eye Car, as saying that people can boost their odds of coming down with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) if they subject themselves to excessive sun exposure over an extended period of time.
According to the article, AMD happens to be one of the most prevalent causes of vision loss. The eye ailment comes in two forms — dry AMD and wet AMD. Only 10% of the people who get dry AMD end up with wet AMD, the more serious of the two. Wet AMD is caused when abnormal vessels grow and leak blood and other fluids that damage the macula. If AMD is not diagnosed soon enough, it could lead to irreversible eye damage that could prevent patients from being able to read books, watch television, drive vehicles or even recognize the faces of people they known.
Dr. McKinley said in the article that the best way to protect the eyes from UV rays is by wearing polarized sunglasses. Those who would rather avoid the “raccoon eyes” look while having fun at the beach can opt for a hat to shade their face from the UV rays instead, he added.
According to the article, regular eye exams are important when it comes to safeguarding eye health. The article noted that eye lenses do not have the ability to repair themselves and some eye ailment lack symptoms, which underscores the importance of eye exams performed by a trained professional who can flag any issues.
Dr. McKinley said in the article that he sometimes sees patients who come in for eye exams even though they have no known eye issues. However, an exam will sometime reveal that a number of these patients have an eye problem that they had no prior knowledge of. If diagnosed sooner rather than later, “we can help save their vision,” he said.
Reference: http://www.wtvy.com/news/headlines/Shield-Your-Eyes-From-UV-Rays-207616101.html