Most of us are extra cautious about our skin and do not step out without applying sunscreen lotion. But not many of us are aware that it is equally important to protect our eyes from the harmful effects of Ultra Violet (UV) rays.
Ophthalmologists say just as exposure of skin to the sun’s rays are harmful, the eyes are also at risk if left unprotected.
K. Bhujang Shetty, Chairman of Narayana Nethralaya, says it is very important to guard our eyes against UV rays. “Exposing your eyes to the sun without any protection can cause cataract and retinal degeneration,” he says.
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According to Murali Kaushik, consultant ophthalmologist at Sankara Eye Hospital, most ultraviolet damage occurs from UV-A and UV-B rays.
“These can cause both short term and long term damage. It is better not to wear any glasses than wear those without proper protection from UV-A and UV-B rays because wearing sunglasses without UV protection cuts out the ambient light and causes the pupil in the eye to dilate,” he says.
Both doctors advise people against buying inexpensive dark sunglasses. “It is a must to buy UV protected sunglasses. We usually prescribe glasses with specialised antiglare or polarised coatings, especially for those with eye problems,” Dr. Shetty adds.
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(Reporting by
Afshan Yasmeen)