Protecting your eyes from UV rays this summer

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Many of us may view sunglasses as a fashion accessory, but experts say wearing them is crucial for good vision.

A detailed examination of Clemencia Garza's eyes shows sun exposure is starting to show its effects.

"[My doctor] said I have the very beginning of cataracts, so this is the first time I hear about that," she said.

Cataracts come from too much ultra violet radiation. But did you the sun can burn your eyes just like your skin?

"It can also burn the cornea of your eyes and the retina of your eyes, causing red, irritated and swollen eyes," said Dr. Harlan Snyder, Snyder Optometry, Inc.

A large survey from the Vision Council finds many adults don't realize how damaging the sun can be to the eyes. Researchers found 27 percent of adults rarely or never wear sunglasses.

But could this be true in L.A.?

"We wear our sunglasses better than other cities but it's still less than 50 percent of the people," according to Snyder.

The survey found 46 percent of people don't use their shades on cloudy days, but Snyder says you can get the same UV exposure as you do when it's sunny.

And beware of glare.

"It reflects off the pool, off the sand and you get more UV radiation exposure to your eyes," he said.

Are your glasses providing the recommended 95 percent protection? Dark tint doesn't make a difference. Protection comes from a clear coating placed on lenses.

When in doubt have your eye care professional check your glasses out. They have a special meter that can actually read the UV exposure through the lens, according to Snyder.

Two things many of us do that also reduces our glasses ability to protect us:

• Leave them on the dashboard -- they can warp from the heat


• Toss them in our purse without any protection -- scratches can be a big problem

"Any kind of distortion, warping or scratches in the lens, may take off the UV coding," Synder said.

He says kids should always wear sunglasses because developing eyes are most vulnerable.