I went to the airshow on Sunday. The day started out cloudy, cool and windy but completely began to change around noon. By 3:00, it was clear skies and the sun was pounding. I didn't wear sunglasses. BIG MISTAKE.

I didn't think about it then but I wish I had. Staring into the bright blue sky for several hours without sunglasses will cause your eyes to suffer. Today, It feels like I stared at a welding arc for too long. This kind of abuse to your eyes can cause all kinds of problems.

We all have had a sunburn on our skin but did you know your eyes can get sunburned, as well?  The damage may not be as noticeable as sunburned skin but could come back to haunt you years down the road.

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I had to borrow a pair of Kimberly's 'Foster Grants' this morning in the studio. The light was making my eyes water and burn. And I looked like Elvis.

The Importance of Wearing Sunglasses

1. UV Protection: The sun's UV radiation can cause cataracts; benign growths on the eye's surface; cancer of the eyelids and skin around the eyes; and photokeratitis, sometimes called snow blindness, which is a temporary but painful sunburn of the eye's surface. Wide-brimmed hats and caps can block about 50% of UV radiation from the eyes, but optometrists say that is not enough protection.

2. Blue-Light Protection:  Long-term exposure to the blue and violet portion of the solar spectrum has been implicated as a risk factor for macular degeneration, especially for individuals who are “sun sensitive.”

3. Comfortable Vision: The sun's brightness and glare interfere with comfortable vision and the ability to see clearly by causing squinting and watering of the eyes

4. Dark Adaptation: Spending just two or three hours in bright sunlight can hamper the eyes' ability to adapt quickly to nighttime or indoor light levels. This can make driving at night after spending a day in the sun more hazardous.

Save your eyes and wear sunglasses!

 

 

 

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