Prevention Is The Key To Reducing Sun Damage To Your Eyes.

Before we explain some of the conditions that can be caused by the sun, the first thing to know is that prevention is the key.  Wearing UVA or UVB-certified sunshades or photo-reactive prescription eyeglass lenses, like Transitions Lenses or Anti-Reflective coated lenses, like Crizal,  while outside in the sun will provide protection and help to maintain healthy eyes. TAKE NOTE: Not all Sunshades or lenses are created equal!  Just because they look cool doesn’t mean they are doing the job they need to do.  Check your sunshades to make sure they are rated UVA or UVB to reflect those nasty rays from reaching your sensitive and important eye tissues. When it comes to protective eyewear in Jamaica, our Professional Eye Care specialists know how to help you choose the right protective eyewear.

Increased Risk of Growths Forming (Pterygium)

The sun’s rays are a major contributor to the growth of flesh that can sometimes develop on the surface of the eye.  It is called Pterygium.  Wearing protective eyewear will greatly reduce your chances of developing pterygium on your eyes.  If you have it already,  left untreated, persons may experience uncomfortable and/or impaired vision.  A board-certified and registered ophthalmologist at Professional Eye Care would remove the pterygium with a safe and minor surgical procedure, otherwise commonly referred to as ‘scraping the eye’.

Cataracts

Cataracts develop and mature with age, kinda like a coconut. In the Caribbean, due to environmental elements like strong UV rays, our diet, and our genetics,  we can develop cataracts more quickly than others.  Since we are more prone to early onset cataracts, it is beneficial to wear proper protective lenses to lessen the rate and significance.

Keep in mind, just like a coconut, as the cataract matures, it gets harder and denser.  So when you or granny starts to develop your cataract, our advice is to take it out sooner than later.  There are fewer complications when it can be removed in the ‘jelly stage’.

Eye Sunburn (Photokeratitis)

Much like how the sun’s UV rays can cause your skin to sunburn with excessive exposure, it can also have a sunburn-like effect on your eyes;  a condition known as photokeratitis. It affects the cornea of the eye and this occurs when the UV rays are reflected off of materials such as sand and water. If you suspect you’re facing this issue, a comprehensive eye exam from our family vision clinics can help!

Increased Eye Cancer Risk (Melanoma)

The sun’s UV rays, without protective eyewear services from our eye doctors, can also increase a patient’s risk of developing the skin cancer known as melanoma in the eye and on the eyelid. However, our family vision clinic can help provide better vision for a better life by providing necessary comprehensive eye exams — to scan for early signs of melanoma — and to prescribe protective sunglasses.

Blurred Vision Over Time

It’s possible for harmful UV rays to induce macular degeneration, which is the development of blurry vision over a longer period of time. In order to provide better vision for a better life, our eye doctors recommend adult and pediatric eye care through our accessible facility.