WAYS UV RAYS CAN HARM YOUR EYES AND THE WAY OUT

The Sun is the number one source of Ultra violet rays on earth, and the eyes absorb up to 99% of UV rays causing significant damages to different layers of the eyes. Some of the likely harm UV can cause to the eyes include…

Cancerous growths of the eyelids
Pingueculae and Pterygium (Conjunctival and Corneal growth)
Photokeratitis of the cornea (Cornea inflammation)
Cataract: Opacification of the lens
Age related macular degeneration: Degenerative changes of the Retina.

These damages are often due to accumulated exposure to UV radiations as well as other radiations, hence proper prevention is your best way out.
Lens protections help to reduce glare, protect ocular health, improve color vision, and minimise environmental and occupational exposure to radiations.
Some of these special lens coatings includes:

1. ULTRAVIOLET BLOCKERS: UV protective lenses and UV sunglasses are very important protection from the consequences of UV rays on the eyes. An ideal UV protective lens should absorb close to 100% of UV rays.
2. ANTIREFLECTION COATING (AR COATING): This lens coating reduces reflections and glare to improve vision. A.R. coatings also absorb a good amount of UV rays. However, it is not as effective as the UV coating.
3. PHOTOCHROMIC LENSES: Photochromic lenses are lenses which darken on exposure to ultraviolet rays (sunlight) to protect the eye and lightens again on removal from the sunlight.
4. TINTS: These are colors coated on lenses to alter transmission of light through it and can be used to protect the eyes from unwanted glare or bright sunlight.
5. NIGHT DRIVING LENSES: These reduces glare from night driving and improves vision.
6. POLAROID LENSES: These lenses are meant to eliminate glare and unwanted reflections.
7. BLUECUT LENSES: These help to protect the eye from harmful blue rays as well as Ultraviolet radiations.

Please ask your doctor to include one or more of these coatings in your next glasses to protect your eyes from harmful radiations.