Eyes need protection from UV rays

Even in cloudy weather, protect the eyes from UV rays

07/25/2012

Sunny weather not only requires special protection of the skin, but also the eyes should be protected from the harmful UV light, so the message of the Board of Trustees Good Looking (KGS). A day at the lake could be a burden to the eyes even on cloudy summer days due to the reflection of sunlight through the water surface, the experts warn.

According to the experts, children and people with cataracts are particularly endangered by the UV rays of sunlight. In general, the risk should not be underestimated even in cloudy weather. Remedy can create a good pair of sunglasses that „both from the glaring visible and from the insidious invisible portion of sunlight“ protects, reports the board of trustees Good Looking in Berlin.

Invisible UV rays damage the eye
The UV rays are not visible to the eyes, but still leave their mark. „If the eyes are red after a day in the fresh air, feel tense or tears, should they be granted a few days rest from the sun“, reports the KGS. At the latest at such signs must be a pair of sunglasses with sufficient glare and UV protection ago. The risk of UV rays persists even in cloudy summer, when there are many reflective surfaces in the environment. For example, according to KGS „for longer stays at the water“ special care, „be it on long walks or relaxing reading on the beach.“ Because the water surface but also the sand and even the white paper of books or newspapers reflect the sun's rays particularly strong. The UV rays come not only from above, but also from below through the reflection.

Sunglasses with sufficient glare and UV protection
When choosing the sunglasses, consumers should make sure that it provides adequate UV protection. The color of the glasses plays no role here, explained the experts of the KGS. A possible indication of the UV filter of the sunglasses could be the CE mark on the inside of the eyeglass strap, which proves that the eyewear meets the basic EU safety requirements. This marking is obligatory for products in Germany, but in principle it offers no security, because a control of the use by an independent authority is missing. Many foreign manufacturers print the seal on their products without actually adhering to the EU's security requirements. To be on the safe side, consumers can turn to an optician to help them choose sunglasses with sufficient glare and UV protection. The optician could also help the customer with regard to the quality of the lenses and the comfortable fit of the glasses. So be for example „ensures that the lenses have no streaks or blisters that make the vision difficult“, the Board of Trustees declared good looking. Also contact lens wearers advise the KGS to wear sunglasses. Although many contact lenses today „an integrated UV filter that protects the inside of the eyes“, but the lenses cover only part of the eye, so that „additional sunglasses for lens wearer duty“ is, explained the experts of the KGS.

Do not neglect sun protection for the eyes
In general, most people have become accustomed to protecting their skin from the sun's rays while out in the open, but many are still a little careless with their eyes. The risk of invisible UV rays to the eyes is less present, as no conspicuous reactions, such as sunburn, threaten. Nevertheless, caution should be exercised, especially for people with prejudices and children. The pre-stressed people include, for example, cataract patients whose clouded lens has been replaced by a new one. According to KGS, this affects approximately 600,000 patients per year in Germany, whereby „Many of these artificial lenses do not protect the retina as well from UV radiation as the natural lens“, reports Wolfgang Wesemann, Director of the Höhere Fachschule für Augenoptik Köln in the press release of the KGS. According to the expert should „Take special care to protect your cat's eyes after surgery.“ According to the expert, the eyes of children also need special protection, as their eye lenses are clearer and thus considerably more permeable than those of adults. (Fp)

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