Posts Tagged ‘UV light’

Tanning Beds Can Damage Your Eyes

Thursday, February 7th, 2013

There’s no doubt artificial tanning through the use of “tanning beds” is a big business in the United States–especially in states like Virginia where the colder months prevent sunbathers from venturing outside to catch their sunbed 300x143 Tanning Beds Can Damage Your Eyesrays.    We know that tanning beds provide significantly more UV (ultra-violet) light than the sun.   And we know that UV light can lead to melanomas and other skin cancers.    But, the eyes are probably even more susceptible to tanning bed UV light damage than the skin.

Some sources estimate that the UV concentration reaching the eyes is 100 times greater in a tanning bed than from normal sun exposure.    Simply closing your eyes or wearing traditional UV blocking sunglasses will do little do block this amount of UV light.   The “tanning eyeglasses” provided by the tanning facility will provide a higher level of protection, but the best bet is not to tan at all, given the harmful effects.

One of the most common eye problems caused by tanning bed exposure is photokeratitis.   This is akin to a sunburn on the cornea, which is a delicate but extremely important part of the eye’s front surface.    Symptoms of photokeratitis include sensitivity to light, eye pain, swelling of the eyelids, hazy or blurry vision, redness and a sandy feeling.     Thankfully, this condition is temporary.

However, UV light is also linked to the development of cataracts, which causes vision loss only reversible with surgery.     Even more detrimental, UV light is linked with macular degeneration and melanomas of the eye.   These carry serious complications for long term eye health and vision.     So before you use a tanning bed, know all of the risks.

As always, I’d love to hear your comments or questions. Give us a shout over on Facebook or on Google+. And, remember, you can now request your annual eye exam appointment at our office by clicking here.

Dr. Beach.

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“Go Play Outside!” Study says that may cut kids’ risks for nearsightedness in half.

Sunday, August 19th, 2012
random summer 2012 025 300x225 Go Play Outside! Study says that may cut kids risks for nearsightedness in half.

7-month Parker Beach playing outdoors & decreasing his risk for myopia

With increases in childhood obesity and diabetes, there has been a big public awareness effort to get kids outdoors.    A little less time playing video games or watching television and a little more time exercising can help keep children healthy through their important developmental years.   But a recent study says that being outdoors may also provide a huge benefit to a child’s vision.

Well over 10,000 children were followed in a study that concluded being outdoors could significantly reduce a child’s likelihood of developing myopia, or nearsightedness.   Children who spent a “high” amount of time outdoors were up to 50% less likely to develop nearsightedness over time. A “high” amount of time was defined as at least 3 hours outdoors a day during the summer and 1 hour a day in the winter.

The interesting aspect of the study is that it may actually be the outdoor light, rather than the specific activity, which reduces the risk of nearsightedness.   While further study is needed, researchers theorize that the increased duration of outdoor light may stimulate dopamine production in the eye  to reduce the development of nearsightedness.

Given this was such a large study with a very significant conclusion, it’s clear that your child’s vision could benefit by playing outdoors.   The risk for nearsightedness could be greatly reduced, as well as the likelihood they would need glasses or contact lenses.    But don’t forget UV-blocking sunglasses when outdoors!

As always, I’d love to hear your comments or questions. Give us a shout over on Facebook or on Google+. And, remember, you can now request your annual eye exam appointment at our office by clicking here.

Dr. Beach.

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Eye Color Disadvantage? Statistics show lower batting average during the daytime for blue-eyed baseball players.

Saturday, July 16th, 2011

Have you ever watched a sporting event on television and been amused by how abstract and random some statistics seem?   Well, one stat may actually have someCITIFIELD articleInline Eye Color Disadvantage? Statistics show lower batting average during the daytime for blue eyed baseball players. significance.   A recent NY Times article found that major league baseball players with blue eyes have a lower batting average during the day than they do at night.

We’ve posted before about how blue eyes have less “sunlight filtering” ability than dark colored eyes (click here to see that post).   And, the NY Times article cites this reduced filtering ability as the reason for this interesting statistic.    Sports medicine professionals are now working closer with players to educate them on how this can significantly affect their ability to visually track the baseball and how finding the correct pair of sunglasses can improve their game on sunny days.

If the glare can affect these professional athletes, it can also affect the rest of us with light or  blue-colored eyes during all of our outdoor activities—from sports to leisure to driving.    Our expert staff at Clearview Eye Care can help you find the correct sunwear frame and lenses to make sure your eyes perform at their best in these daytime activities.     Be sure to check out our previous posts on “UV Light and your Eyes,” and “Polarized Lenses.”

As always, we’d love to hear from you!   Please shoot us your questions and comments over on Facebook.

Take Care,

Dr. Beach.

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Summertime: Let’s Talk About Ultraviolet Light and Your Eyes

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011

Summer is definitely here.   The ocean front is packed.  High temperatures are routinely in the 90′s.   Vacations are being planned.   But this is also an important time to talk about the risks of ultraviolet (UV) light.3488404393 94065243c01 300x225 Summertime: Lets Talk About Ultraviolet Light and Your Eyes

Certainly, we are all aware of the importance of putting on sunblock to reduce the risks of skin cancer caused by UV light.   But, did you know your eyes are susceptible to damage from UV as well?

Studies have shown UV light to be associated with increased cataracts and macular degeneration.    Also, UV light can cause changes to the appearance of the front surface of the eye  (check out our previous blog post on ‘yellow spots’ ).    And similar to the rest of your skin,  UV light can cause cancerous formations around the surface of the eye.

How can you protect your eyes against UV light?  The best way is sunglasses, but the key is they have to be “UV-filtering” sunglasses.    The typical drugstore-type sunglasses may not have the ability to block UV light.  Or, they may not block significant amounts of UV-A, UV-B, or both.

However, prescription sunglasses have to meet higher standards.  In fact, prescription UV-blocking lenses block up to 99% of UV light and provide the best means to protect your eyes against the harmful effects of the sun.   (Be sure to check out our previous blog post on polarized sunglasses)

So, before you hit the beach this summer, make sure to pack your sunblock and your UV-blocking sunglasses.   Your skin and your eyes will thank you later!

As always, we’d love to hear from you.   Please feel free to leave a comment/question here or on our facebook fan page.

Happy Summer,

Dr. Beach.

 

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Ask Dr. Beach: “What are these yellow spots on the white part of my eyes?”

Monday, August 9th, 2010

I received this question from a facebook fan yesterday.   And practicing in Virginia Beach, where outdoor activities are such an important part of our local culture, this is a pretty common question.    The yellowish, slightly

early pinguecula 150x150 Ask Dr. Beach: What are these yellow spots on the white part of my eyes?

Early Pingueculum

raised areas on the white part of the eye are called Pinguecula (pin-ˈgwek-ye-la). It’s a pretty funny word, but essentially they are areas of local tissue changes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light.    The whitish parts of our eyes (conjunctiva) should be fairly soft, clear and flat.   However, with repeated exposure to UV light, in the absence of sunglasses,  parts of the conjunctiva are changed into a harder, denser nodule that takes on the yellow color that patients notice.   Typically, pinguecula arise in older patients but they are not uncommon in younger adults who have a history of performing outdoor activities without wearing sunglasses.

Most often pinguecula do not produce symptoms beyond cosmetic annoyance.     Although, sometimes pinguecula can develop inflammation and cause the eyes to become red and irritated.  In these situations, artificial tears or prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops may be appropriate.

pinguecula advanced 150x150 Ask Dr. Beach: What are these yellow spots on the white part of my eyes?

Advanced Pingueculum

There is no cure for pinguecula.    Surgical removal isn’t advised because the nodules are benign and typically symptomless.   The best course of action is UV-blocking sunglasses to prevent progression in size of the yellow nodules.   With continued UV exposure, pinguecula may evolve into pterygia (tuh-rij-ee-uh) which can cause vision problems.

Pterygium 150x150 Ask Dr. Beach: What are these yellow spots on the white part of my eyes?

Pterygium

Pterygia are essentially ingrowths of vascular and fibrous material onto the surface of the cornea.   These areas can become inflammed and swollen, causing mild to moderate episodes of discomfort.  But more importantly, the progression of Pterygia into the center part of the cornea will result in reduced vision and necessitate surgical removal by  a corneal specialist.

Thanks for the question and remember that every time you go outside to enjoy Hampton Road’s many activities to grab your sunblock and UV-blocking sunglasses  (and probably a bottle or two of water!)

As always, I’d love to hear your comments or questions.  Give us a shout over on Facebook or on Google+.    And, remember, you can now request an appointment for your annual eye exam  at our office by clicking here.

Best wishes,

Dr. Beach.

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