Blocking Harmful Rays May Help Prevent Cataracts

Wearing the right sunglasses may protect against sunlight-induced vision damage.

While most Americans are now conscious of the damage that UV rays can do to their skin over time, few are aware of the damage it can do to their eyes. Long-term exposure to the sun's harmful rays can lead to macular degeneration, a variety of vision ailments or even skin cancer around the eyelids especially UV-B rays, may also cause some types of cataracts.¹

“Many studies have shown that proper UV protection in the form of sunglasses or brimmed hats has been shown to slow the progression of cataracts,” says John Hahn, MD, in private practice at DuPage Ophthalmology in Lombard, Ill. “Many factors go into the formation and progression of cataracts. Although UV protection won't completely prevent cataract formation, it can certainly delay the onset of symptoms.”

Sunglass Selection

“Overexposure to sunlight—UV light—has been shown to contribute to cataract formation, and potentially cause a cataract to form more quickly. This is why UV protection of the eyes with sunglasses is important. Sunglasses should block 99-100% of UVA and UVB rays,” explains Dr. Hahn. “This is usually clearly marked on the sunglasses. The cost of the sunglasses, polarization, mirroring and color of tint don't affect the level of protection—only the UV rating is important.” Dr. Hahn says larger lenses and ‘wraparound' styles provide greater protection as damaging light may enter through the sides and top of frames that contain smaller lenses.

Live Eyewear Inc., sunglass manufacturers based in San Luis Obispo, Calif., created a LightGuard collection of premium postoperative and low vision eyewear that caters to various eye ailments and postoperative requirements. The collection offers 6-base designs that fit over glasses and 8-base wraps for those who do not require corrective eyewear post surgery. The polycarbonate lenses are available in a variety of tints, including a dark smoke tint, which is ideal for use as postoperative eyewear, since many LASIK and cataract patients are light sensitive after surgery. In addition, the design of the Light-Guard frames prevents light from penetrating from above, peripherally and from below, providing a tranquil environment during the healing process. Medicare Section 1861 (S8) and most insurance plans permit payment for one pair of eyeglasses following cataract surgery with insertion of an IOL.

IOL Lenses

When patients undergo cataract surgery, an intraocular lens is implanted in the affected eye. “These lens implants provide the same or better level of UV protection as appropriate sunglasses,” says Dr. Hahn. “In fact, only one lens does not provide this level of protection, although it does have some blocking ability. After cataract surgery, sunglasses may still help reduce glare and improve comfort in certain situations, however, the UV rating of the lenses is no longer important.”

REFERENCES

1. How Can UV Rays Damage Your Eyes? Prevent Blindness America. Retrieved from http://www.preventblindness.org/uv/uv.html.
2. Information for Healthy Vision. Retrieved from http://www.nei.nih.gov/healthyeyes/eyehealthtips.asp