The summer sun is strong, and health professionals say it’s important for people to protect themselves against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has designated July as UV Safety Month. The Association offered this advice.
“Studies show that long-term exposure to bright sunlight may increase the risk of cataracts and growths on the eye, including cancer. UV rays reflected off sand and water can cause eyes to sunburn, potentially resulting in temporary blindness in just a few hours. In support of UV Safety Month this July, the American Academy of Ophthalmology reminds the public of the importance of shielding eyes from the sun’s harmful rays with 100% UV-blocking sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats,” a spokesperson wrote.
Sun’s Danger
MCM spoke with Dr. Peter McDonnell director of the Wilmer Eye Institute, the Department of Ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.
McDonnell said constant exposure to sunlight can cause serious damage to your eyes.
“We know people who don’t wear sunscreen can get sunburn and that can lead to skin cancer. The eye also can be affected. The eyelids and the surface of the eye can get tumors on them that are associated with ultraviolet light. It is more common with people who spend a lot of time outdoors, workers, boaters, and golfers,” McDonnell said.
He said when you are out in the sun, you should wear UV absorbing sunglasses. He recommends UV 400 for the best protection.
“One of the things people don’t fully appreciate is sunlight can get around our frames. It can bounce off of the skin of our cheeks and nose. The sunlight can then get into a person’s eyes. One of our professors years ago showed that completely UV absorbing sunglasses really only block about two thirds of the UV light. But if you add a hat with a brim, then you get about 95% or higher of UV rays blocked. So in addition to wearing sunglasses, people should wear a hat with a brim,” McDonnell suggested.
Getting Your Eyes Tested
He explained when people are younger they may not protect their eyes as well as they should. That can lead to problems later in life.
“People take their vision for granted until something happens. I think it is important that we take reasonable precautions to protect our eyes, and get our eyes checked at the recommended intervals,” McDonnell said.
“The first eye exam should occur when babies are born before they leave the hospital. There should be a screening eye exam to make sure there’s nothing particularly obvious. Babies cannot tell you how well they are seeing, but as doctors, we can look for certain things that are clues if there is a problem,” McDonnell added.
Children should have periodic checkups especially if they are experiencing vision problems. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends adults 18 and older get their eyes checked annually.
Vision Problems Related to Overall Health
About 37 million Americans have vision problems. Some diseases and underlying health conditions can cause eye issues.
“Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working age Americans. It’s so common because diabetes has increased. That is related to obesity in the United States. Many people with diabetes don’t come in for their annual checkup. If patients are checked, and problems are found early on, we have a very good treatment with a laser that would prevent them from going blind. Most blindness from diabetes today could be prevented if patients come in for their annual checkup,” McDonnell explained.
Eye Issues as You Age
However, other eye problems can develop as you age such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts.
“Macular degeneration is a huge problem now. It is an epidemic. While it is good Americans are living longer, the downsides are these age-related problems. Macular degeneration is a terrible public health issue, and to me, it is one of the most unfair eye problems you could have,” McDonnell said.
Macular degeneration takes away the central part of a person’s vision. McDonnell said there are treatments, but just not enough of them to fully tackle the disease. One study funded by the National Eye Institute showed when individuals in the early stages of macular degeneration took certain vitamin supplements with antioxidants they could delay the progress of the disease. McDonnell said too much exposure to sunlight and UV rays can contribute to a person developing this condition. He also said family history can play a role and increase a person’s risk of developing macular degeneration.
Treating Glaucoma
Glaucoma also can happen as a person gets older. People with a family history of the disease are more at risk of getting it.
“It is sort of like having high blood pressure. It is high pressure in the eye. Unlike macular degeneration which attacks the central part of your vision, glaucoma affects the side vision. People don’t always realize when they are starting to see less and less to the side because when they look straight ahead, their vision seems just fine,” McDonnell told MCM.
There are medicines, eye drops, lasers, and surgeries available that can help patients with glaucoma.
Cataracts Cause Blurry Vision
Cataracts are a common condition as people age. The lens of the eye becomes cloudy. That can cause blurred or distorted vision. Cataract surgery has improved dramatically over the years. In the 1920s, people would spend two weeks in a hospital to recover from surgery.
“Today, people who come in for cataract surgery are here for about two hours. They come in, have the surgery, and off they go,” McDonnell explained.
Using Eye Protection
Besides wearing protective sunglasses and getting annual checkups, McDonnell recommends people wear eye safety devices especially when they are playing sports or doing activities that could injure their eyes. He said too many people suffer eye injuries from playing racquetball, pickleball, tennis, and hockey. Other injuries occur when a foreign substance like bleach gets into a person’s eyes.
Too much screen time whether it is on a computer or phone can cause dry eyes and irritate them. McDonnell recommends people employ the 20-20-20 rule. That means for every 20 minutes a person looks at a screen, take a break for 20 seconds, and then look at something in the distance that is at least 20 feet away.
Closer Look at The Wilmer Eye Institute
One of the leading eye institutions in the country, the Wilmer Eye Institute marks its 100th anniversary this year. The Institute has 10 clinical locations in Maryland and Virginia including an office in Bethesda.
A woman named Aida Breckingridge helped create the Institute. Breckinridge was a trailblazer. She was the first woman to ever fly a dirigible solo over Paris. In 1922, she developed glaucoma, and she sought out the services of a renowned eye surgeon, at the time, William Wilmer, who was practicing in Washington, D.C.
While Breckingridge lost the sight in one of her eyes, Wilmer was able to save her other eye. She was eternally grateful. She decided to launch a fundraising campaign that brought in $3 million. That money helped establish The Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute at Johns Hopkins University. A teaching and research center it was the first eye institute in the country.
Patient Care, Research, Training
Over the years, the Institute has been at the forefront in patient care and eye research and has trained hundreds of doctors.
“Wilmer was funded, created, and continues to be heavily supported by our grateful patients. The Institute has had two Nobel Laureates, and two people have received Lasker Awards which recognize significant contributions to medical science and public health. My former chairman, the late Dr. Arnall Patz received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004,” McDonnell said.
“We do more eye research than any other institution in the world. At Wilmer we developed the first medication to treat glaucoma. Dr. Patz and his colleagues were the first to use a laser as a way to treat glaucoma,” McDonnell added.
Future of Eye Care
As for the future of eye care, McDonnell said he is hopeful that one day doctors will be able to reverse blindness and make even more strides to improve vision loss. He said the Institute continues to work to eliminate and treat diseases that impact the eyes.
Here is a link for more information about The Wilmer Eye Institute and its history.
