Sunny Days!

Sunny days are making their way back to Alaska – Juneau, especially!  Important information is available regarding reasons for sun protection and the relation to healthy eyes.  Alaska Vision Center can answer all of your questions regarding the right sun protection for your prescription needs and your active lifestyle.  Top 5 reasons to wear sunglasses:

1.) UV Protection. The sun’s UV radiation can cause cataracts; benign growths on the eye’s surface; and photokeratitis, sometimes called snow blindness, which is a temporary but painful sunburn of the eye’s surface. Wide-brimmed hats and caps can block about 50 percent of UV radiation from the eyes but optometrists say that is not enough protection.

2.) Blue-Light Protection. Long-term exposure to the blue and violet portion of the solar spectrum has been implicated as a risk factor for macular degeneration, especially for individuals that are “sun sensitive.”

3.) Comfortable vision. The sun’s brightness and glare interferes with comfortable vision and the ability to see clearly by causing people to squint and the eyes to water.

4.) Dark adaptation. Spending just two or three hours in bright sunlight can hamper the eyes’ ability to adapt quickly to nighttime or indoor light levels. This can make driving at night after spending a day in the sun more hazardous.

5.) Skin Cancer. Cancer of the eyelids and skin around the eyes is more common than people think. People should wear sunglasses outdoors whether they are working, driving, participating in sports, taking a walk, running errands or doing anything in the sun.

Alaska Vision Center’s experienced optometric associates are available to talk with you regarding sun protection for your eyes  – a wide selection of frames are eligible for “sunglass” lenses in your prescription or non-prescription lenses for contact lens wearers.  A good pair of sunglasses will enhance your outdoor activities and protect your vision – stop in today!