If you slather sunscreen all over your body before spending long leisure hours in
the sun , what will you do to protect your
eyes from the harmful rays of
the sun .
The same ultraviolet rays can damage not only your skin but also your eyes . Because of depletion of the protective ozone layer , which acts as the planet's sunscreen , we are all exposed to even greater amount of ultraviolet radiation .
First ,it's something to do with pterygium , a tissue growth on the whites of the eyes . A study in the American Journal of Ophthalmology found the prevalence of pterygium in Singapore to be 7 percent among Chinese men age over 40 .
Dr. Steve Seah , Senior Consultant at Excellent Eye & Lasik Centre, said : " Pterygium usually effects those who work or play outdoors such as taxi driver , construction workers and golfers ."
Although it's mostly harmless , its growth can become so large that it covers the pupil of the eye and blocks the vision .
Even age- related eye condition such as macular degeneration and cataracts can be partly attributed to prolonged sun exposure without protection .
Dr. Peter Tseng , a senior Consultant at the Singapore National Eye Centre said :" While early detection and treatment for macular degeneration can prevent further deterioration , the damage itself is irreversible .
In fact , age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness among the elderly in the developed world .
Second , the delicate skin around our eyes is also susceptible to sun damage .
Much more serious than wrinkles is melanoma ,a type of skin cancer that can develop on eyelids and the sensitive skin around the eyes .
" Melanomas occur more frequently in people with fair skin . While we do see cases in Singapore , it is seen more often in countries like Australia where they have a culture of sunbathing ," said Dr. Cheng Jin Fong , an associate consultant at the National University Hospital .
While most of these conditions are the result of the cumulative effect of prolonged ultraviolet exposure , intense short-term exposure can cause photokeratitis, reversible sunburn of the cornea .
Photokeratitis typically occurs at high altitudes or by exposure to highly reflective surfaces such as sea and snow .
Third , burns on the retina can occur when people look directly at the sun such as during a solar eclipse , said Cheng . This is why it is important to never look at the sun with the naked eye or through equipment such as telescopes ,binoculars and even digital cameras.
Finally , the best way to protect your eyes against the sun is to wear the correct type of sunglasses when you are outside .For even more sun defense , wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen with SPF ( sun protection factor ) of at lease 15
"When it comes to sun defense , every bit helps . Do every little thing possible to keep yourself safe - it all adds up to more protection ," advised Cheng .