How does Ultraviolet Light affect a child’s eyes?
- 80% of a lifetime sun exposure is obtained before age 18.
- Children from the ages of birth to adolescence are at greatest risk to accrue eye damage from ultraviolet light.
- Immediately after birth, nearly all UV Light is transmitted through the lens to the retina of the infant’s eye because an infant’s lenses have not begun the critical development necessary to block UV Light.
- During childhood, the lens transmittance decreases as the child’s eyes further develop and by the age of 25, the lens absorbs almost all UV Light.
- UV exposure contributes to the development of many eye disorders such as Photokeratitis, a reversible sunburning of the cornea; Cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s natural lens which reduces vision; and Skin Cancer can develop on the eyelids and surrounding skin.
- Wear a wide brim hat. This will reduce at least 50% of UV Light.
- Use UV400 lenses in a wrap around style Sunglasses. The lenses should also be made of Polycarbonate for added impact protection; especially for children.
- Even prescription glasses should use lenses that have a UV component in the material. UV protection can be incorporated in almost all materials AND is inexpensive and will NOT interfere with vision.
- Check your local weather reports for the daily UV Index.
- Consult your Optical Professional for other ways to ensure safe and long term “Fun in the Sun.”
- UVA - is thought to contribute to premature aging and wrinkling of the skin and has recently been implicated as a cause of skin cancer.
- UVB - more dangerous than UVA and has been implicated as the major cause of skin cancers, sun burning and cataracts.
- UVC - is extremely dangerous but does not reach the earth's surface due to absorption in the atmosphere.
Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before going out in the sun, because the chemicals need time to absorb into the skin. The best sunscreen to choose has broad-spectrum protection that can block out both UVA and UVB rays.
What is the UV Index?
The UV index is an international standard measurement of how strong the ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is at a particular place on a particular day. It is a scale primarily used in daily forecasts aimed at the general public.
Its purpose is to help people to effectively protect themselves from UV light, of which excessive exposure causes sunburns, eye damage such as cataracts, skin aging, and skin cancer (see the section health effects of ultraviolet light). Public-health organizations recommend that people protect themselves (for example, by applying sunscreen to the skin, wearing uv protective clothing and wearing a hat) when the UV index is 3 or higher. For more information, go to http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html.
Are the sun’s rays more intense at higher altitudes?
UV radiation increases 4% for every 1000 foot increase in elevation (i.e. UV radiation is 20% more intense at 5000 feet than at sea level)
Can I get sunburned from the sun reflecting on a surface?
UV rays that are reflected can be just as damaging as direct exposure
- Sand/concrete reflects 25% UV radiation
- Snow reflects 85% UV radiation
- Water reflects 100% UV radiation
