July 2017 is UV Safety Month

Here at Brooks Eye Associates, we’d like to join the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in reminding you to take the proper steps to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

July is definitely a wonderful time to get outside and enjoy the warmth and fun of summer activities. However, always present are ultraviolet rays from the sun that can cause serious amounts of damage to your eyes.

Too much exposure to UV-A and UV-B rays can cause short-term and long-term damage to your eyes. Short-term damage can be a type of sunburn to the eye known as photokeratitis which can be uncomfortable, painful, and can include extreme sensitivity to light.

Long term exposure to UV rays can eventually lead to the following:

• Cataracts – a clouding in the eye that causes blurry vision, double vision, and increased sensitivity to light, among other symptoms
• Macular degeneration – typically age-related where your retina begins to deteriorate

A very simple way to protect your eyes from the negative effects of sunlight is to wear sunglasses that are 100% UV-A and UV-B protected. If possible, purchase wrap-around sunglasses that protect even more of your eyes. Wearing a hat is another way to keep the sunlight from damaging your eyes.

Our experienced team want to wish you a happy and healthy summer and hope you heed our advice to protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays. If you are in the Dallas, Texas area and are interested in an eye exam to ensure your eyes are healthy, please contact Brooks Eye Associates today. Call us at (972) 736-9347.